









m 















y^v^S 






^?!?P?^ 



^^..4^- 



m^m^^ 



THE 



POETICAL WORKS 



^^^^oifi 



OF 



DAVID BATES, 



EDITED BY HIS SON 



STOCKTON BATES. 







PHILADELPHIA: 
CLAXTON, REMSEN & HAFFELFINGER, 

819 AND 821 Market Street. 
1870. 



T5 



^o1 I 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S70, Dy 

STOCKTON BATES, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States in and for 

the Eastern District of Pennsylvaiilj . 



STEREOTYPED BY J. PAGAN & SON. 



PRINTEP BY MOORE BROTHERS, 

Franklin Buildings, Sixth St., below Arch, 

Philadelphia. 




jp^dkai^d 



TO THOSE, WHOSE KIND WORDS, GENEROUS 

SYMPATHIES AND SUBSTANTIAL AID 

ENCOURAGED THE EDITOR IN 

THE PUBLICATION OF 

THIS VOLUME. 





"T^AVID BATES was born at Indian Hill, 
^^ Hamilton County, Ohio, on March 6th, 
1809. Until the age of fourteen he lived the life 
of a farmer boy. Feeling capable of a higher 
range of influence than such a life offered, he ob- 
tained permission to seek his fortune elsewhere. 
During leisure hours at home he had learned to 
play remarkably well on the flute. This instru- 
ment, in his journeyings, served not only to be- 
guile the tedium of many a weary mile, but often 
secured for him a home -like welcome; for his 
musical ability attracted attention, while his in- 
genuous and engaging address won him the es- 
teem of all. 

There are, perhaps, periods in the life of every 
one that, in the retrospect, stand out bold and 
clear. These periods mark distihctly each devia- 



VI 



PREFACE. 



tion from the original course. ^' What might have 
been?" and "What is?" are painfully interesting 
questions. 

Imbued with poetic imaginings of a mariner's 
free life, the young adventurer had conceived 
the desire of going to sea. With this inten- 
tion he reached Buffalo, where he met a gentle- 
man whom he had known while in Lower San- 
dusky, who, learning his purpose, earnestly dis- 
suaded him. He furnished him with money, and 
sent him to school for a few months, preparatoiy 
to giving him a position as clerk. By working 
between school-hours, he contrived to earn means 
necessary for his support. At the expiration of 
the term, death having in the mean time taken 
away his friend, he found himself, without money, 
in a strange land. Undismayed, he proceeded on 
foot, walking a distance of two hundred miles, to 
Indianapolis, Indiana. Here he obtained a situa- 
tion in a mercantile house. With new impulses 
and aspirations, he rose, step by step, until he be- 
came a member of the firm. As buyer for the 
house, he made frequent visits East — became ac- 
quainted in Philadelphia, and subsequently made 
it his home. 



PREFACE. Vll 

He wrote for most of the prominent magazines 
and periodicals, and enjoyed the confidence and 
appreciation of men of letters. With a high re- 
gard for the beautiful and good, a soul fully at- 
tuned to Nature's symphonies, he loved the com- 
panionship of the birds and brooks, the trees and 
flowers. Next to family, literature, of all earthly 
things, was his idol ; yet, it was his aim to make 
even that love subservient to his still higher re- 
gard for humanity. Not a single impure or pro- 
fane word mars either his prose or verse. Yet his 
writings have not only this negative merit, but are 
replete with high poetic sentiment and manly 
thought. He sought not fame, but wrote for the 
pleasure it gave him, and for the good he hoped 
to do. 

Two of his poems, "Speak Gently," and "Child- 
hood," have attained a world-wide reputation; 
while the former of these, by translation into 
other languages, has become almost a universal 
hymn. During his later years, physical debility 
required him to cease almost entirely from lite- 
rary labors. 

Such, in brief, is the history of a man of fine 
natural ability and genial disposition. His innate 



Vlll PREFACE. 

modesty amounted almost to self-abasement, and 
his sensitive nature shrank from that proud inso- 
lence of manner, which too often is confounded 
with genius. It had long been his intention to 
publish a complete edition of his poems, but the 
cares of an active business life prevented, from 
time to time, the fruition of his hopes. In obedi- 
ence, therefore, to his wishes, and in response to 
the request of numerous friends, I have collected 
and published these poems. Some were contained 
in a volume, entitled the "Eolian," published in 
1849; the others were written since that work was 
out of print. In taking this step, I cannot but 
feel that my efforts will be seconded by an appre- 
ciative public. I am still further inclined to this 
opinion, by the sympathy and appreciation ex- 
pressed in almost the entire press of this city, at 
the announcement of the author's death, on Jan- 
uaiy 25th, 1870. 

Stockton Bates. 

Philadelphia, 1870. 





PAGH 

Proem . .13 

Poesy 16 

Speak Gently . . . . ... . . .18 

The World of Mind 20 

Light .22 

The American Flag 25 

Apostrophe to the Ocean 27 

Autumn Hymn 29 

Lines to T. Buchanan Read 31 

Birth -Day Thoughts 33 

Laurel Hili 35 

Wissahiccon . . . 37 

Millennial Thoughts . . . . . . .40 

The Battle of the Books 41 

Chiding . • . 48 

The End of the World 49 

ix 



X CONTENTS. 

PAGB 

The Poor 51 

An Evening Reverie . . . , , . . . 54 

Stanzas * .... 56 

An Aspiration 58 

Ella ............ 60 

Childhood . . . . * 63 

Judge Not 65 

The Album 67 

To 68 

Song 70 

The Unknown 71 

A Butterfly on the Water 73 

Home . . .75 

Betty 77 

Lead On ... • 79 

Music 81 

Meditation ... . . ' . . S;^ 

Spring 86 

The Truants 88 

We Met 90 

Song of the Soul 92 

A Contrast . . ' . 94 

The Moon 95 

On the Death of a Friend . . . . • 98 

A Sacred Gift. . . .- 100 

The Southern Harp loi 



CONTENTS. XI 

PAGE 

A Vision of Beauty . . . . ... .103 

Day -Dreams. . . . . ". . . . 106 

The Human Harp 108 

To Thomas Buchanan Read no 

The Voyage of Life 112 

Midsummer Noon 118 

To Arms 120 

The Theft of the Golden Eagle . . . ,121 
Musings . , . . . . . . . . 124 

There is a God 126 

Thoughts on Death. . . . i . . . 131 

Monumental Inscriptions 133 

Leona " . . . 135 

The Altar 137 

Musings on Life 139 

The Skeptic and the Believer 143 

A Child's Prayer. 145 

The Spirit's Wing 146 

The Thunder - Storm 148 

Let My Home be a Cottage 151 

By-and-By 153 

LELIA. 

Part I. 157 

Part II 184 

Part III. . . 212 



Xll * CONTENTS. 

MISCELLANEOUS AND EARLIER POEMS. 

PACK 

A Lay of the Heart 245 

Lines in an Album . 248 

Translation 249 

Stanzas — To 251 

A Storm 253 

Kitty White 255 

The Sailor's Sanctuary 256 

The Invitation 257 

Unwelcome Visitors 259 

Constancy 262 

Song 263 

To T. M. M 264 

The Unknown 266 

Eliza 267 

The Stolen Heart 269 

The Lost One 270 

The Union 271 

An Appeal 272 

The Harvest of Thought 274 





PROEM. 

'nr^HE Universe is full of harmony : — 

-^ I stood, a listener, in the outer courts 
Of Nature's Temple; and the melody 
Came from a thousand harps, o'er which the air 
Played with its viewless fingers. 

Ocean's voice 
In solemn, ceaseless, swelling grandeur joined : 
The rivers murmured in their onward flow; 
And rippling brooks and streams in softer chimes 
Sent up their anthem from their pebbly beds ; 
While oft the thunder rolled its heavy tones 
In startling majesty through Nature's dome, 
Until her temple trembled with the peals 

2 13 



14 PROEM. 

That waked the slumbering mountains from their 

dreams 
To give responsive echo. 

Standing round, 
The trees, like worshippers, swayed to and fro. 
And sighed their low -voiced wailings on my ear; 
And gentle flowers. Nature's symphonies, 
Breathed their soft, odorous breath around my 

heart. 
The bee came by with music on his wings : 
And birds, with varied voice of sweetest song, 
Poured out their joyous notes in untaught strains. 

As thus I heard the universal hymn 
From Nature's choir ascend, I felt a- thrill 
Of rapture through my soul that stirred its depths 
To kindred sympathies. 

And listening still, 
I caught some strains that came, Eolian-like, 
With their impulsive breathings on my heart : 
And I have sung them as I best could sing; 
Feeling how feeble language oft must prove 
To paint the strong emotions of the soul ! 



PROEM. 



15 



If they shall touch one heart, and make it throb 
With warmer feelings towards the human race, 
Or kindle in the mind one holier thought, 
Or fix one purpose stronger in the right. 
Or soothe one sorrow, lull one fear or pain, 
I have not toiled for nought, nor sung in vain. 




l6 POESY. 



POESY. 

A WAY, winged coursers, that wait on the soulj 
-^^- On your pinions free and strong; 
And gather me gems without control. 

In the beautiful land of song. 
'Tis a pleasant land, where ye oft before 

Have gathered me flowers bright; 
And in those gardens are many more, 

As fair to the taste and sight. 

How deep is the stream of affection there — 

Of love, that is brimming o'er ! 
And startling oft are the waves of despair, 

That break on the peaceful shore. 
And the turbid waters of passion rise. 

Like boiling springs, on the waste. 
Upon whose margin affection dies. 

And beauty is ever defaced. 



POESY. 17 

I love not the sad and mournful themes, 

That press down the heart with woe; 
But the pure and purling crystal streams, 

That sing as they gently flow. 
Then away, winged coursers, to scenes that are fair, 

Leave all that is sad and wrong; 
And bring but the gems that are rich and rare, 

To wreathe in a beautiful song. 




2* 






l8 SPEAK GENTLY. 



SPEAK GENTLY. 



SPEAK gently 1 — It is better far 
To rule by love, than fear — 
Speak gently — let not harsh words mar 
The good we might do here! 



Speak gently ! — Love doth whisper low 
The vows that true hearts bind ; 

And gently Friendship's accents flow ; 
Affection's voice is kind. 

Speak gently to the little child ! 

Its love be sure to gain ; 
Teach it in accents soft and mild : — 

It may not long remain. 

Speak gently to the young, for they 
Will have enough to bear — 

Pass through this life as best they may, 
'Tis full of anxious care! 



SPEAK GENTLY. I9 

Speak gently to the aged one, 
Grieve not the care-worn heart; 

The sands of life are nearly run. 
Let such in peace depart! ' 

Speak gently, kindly, to the poor; 

Let no harsh tone be heard ; 
They have enough they must endure, 

Without an unkind word ! 

Speak gently to the erring — know, 

They may have toiled in vain ; 
Perchance unkindness made them so; 

Oh, win them back again ! 

Speak gently! — He who gave his life 

To bend man's stubborn will. 
When elements were in fierce strife, 

Said to them, ''Peace, be still." 

Speak gently! — 'tis a little thing 
Dropped in the heart's deep well; 

The good, the joy, which it may bring, 
Eternity shall tell. 



20 THE WORLD OF MIND. 



THE WORLD OF MIND. 

'T'^HERE is a world where the active mind 

-^ Soars, unrestrained by the grovelling strife 
That would press it down, and its pinions bind 

To the dull and plodding things of life. 
This world is the boundless realm of thought; 

Where it plays, like a meteor through the sky, 
And brings the forms, by its fancy caught, 

To the nearer gaze of the curious eye. 

From sphere to sphere, and from star to star, 

With a freer flight than the lightning's wing, 
Through limitless fields of ether, far 

Above where the wheeling systems sing, 
It wanders over celestial plains. 

Through verdant pastures and blooming vales; 
And catches the soft and soothing strains 

Of harp - tones, waked by the breathing gales. 

Though there are mountains that towering stand 
On the border -paths it must pursue; 



THE WORLD OF MIND. 21 

And mighty oceans, and desert sand, 

That must be crossed for a pleasant view; 

Yet Hope lures on by her constant smile, 
And ever points to the happy bowers ; 

And Fame afar is standing the while, 
Forever waving her wreath of flowers. 

But many loiter along the streams. 

And quail ere the journey is begun; 
Content to catch but the feeble beams 

That flow from the distant central sun. 
Rouse up, faint heart, from thy soft repose ; 

The sensual clogs from thy soul unbind 
And thy journey onward will soon disclose 

A higher bliss in the world of mind. 



22 LIGHT. 



LIGHT. 

^ I ^HOU Sun ! from whose broad disk ethereal rays 

-^ Are poured profusely over land and sea, 
Until all nature kindles in the blaze — 

I wonder not the Persians worship thee; 
For I have stood and watched thy morning beams 

Empearl the landscape, bathed in crystal dew; 
Or dance at evening on the crimsoned streams; 

Or fringe the clouds that veiled thee from my view, 
Until I felt that I could almost worship too. 

Thou source of life and light! whose magic power 

Sustains the changes of the rolling year. 
Paints the young verdure, and the opening flower, 

And permeates the earth and atmosphere: 
Atoms and worlds alike bask in the light 

That streams unceasing from thy central fire. 
Which being quenched one moment, ancient Night 

Her throne would take, and Nature would expire — 
O ! Earth, the mother thou of life — thou Sun, the Sire ! 



LIGHT. 23 

Creation slept, as sleeps an unborn thought, 

Until the darkness from its couch was driven, 
And then awoke, and shouted as it caught 

The rays from thy refulgent orb in heaven. 
And for six thousand years thy steady light 

Hath blessed the nations of the teeming earth, 
Giving successive seasons, day and night, 

And all that's beautiful and lovely, birth — 
Man knows this much, and owns at least thy power 
and worth. 

But all thy natural splendors were in vain — 

The moral darkness brooding o'er mankind 
Called for another sun upon the plane, 

To kindle in the firmament of mind. 
Judea's hills first caught its morning rays, 

And angels stooped from their abodes of bliss 
To hail the Harbinger of better days. 

The Sun of Righteousness, the Prince of Peace; 
'Tis not idolatry for man to worship This. 

Though yon resplendent orb may set in gloom, 
And shuddering Nature on her couch recline, 

While darkness like a pall enwraps her tomb ; 
Still shall this Light in glorious triumph shine. 



24 LIGHT. 

Already has it broke the mental night 

That hung upon the world its withering ban; 

And nations now are rising in their might — 
Both king and subject hold whate'er they can — 

Each one alike surprised to find himself a man. 

Its course is onward, like a rushing tide 

That ebbs not though the stream may rise and fall, 
Sweeping oppression, tyranny, aside: 

Thrones, sceptres, titles — verbal nothings all — 
Shall vanish as the mists at morning's dawn: 

Its foes must yield, or, overwhelmed, be hurled 
From their high seats; — from clime to clime, still on, 

Its banner shall be over all unfurled. 
Until its splendor, like a glory, wraps the world. 




THE AMERICAN FLAG. 2$ 



THE AMERICAN FLAG. 

'T^HE Flag of my country ! how proudly I hail 

-*■ Its stripes and its stars, as it floats in the gale, 
From battlement, tower, and mast, o'er a land 
As free as the air by which it is fanned ! 
A terror alike to the tyrant and slave ; 
But the standard where rally the good and the brave. 

How easy and graceful its tremulous motion, 
As it curls to the breeze, like a wave of the ocean. 
And spreads its broad folds, like an angel's bright wing. 
O'er the freemen who scorned to be ruled by a king! 
Though in war's dread commotion it first was unfurled. 
Yet its motto is freedom and peace to the world. 

The land it floats o'er is a beautiful land: 

They who flung it aloft were a glorious band ; 

But to guard it from insult, or foeman, think you 

There are spirits less daring, or hearts now less true? 

Be assured, in the onset, no freeman will lag. 

When called to defend the American Flag. 
3 



26 THE AMERICAN FLAG. 

Its country, though young, was a giant at birth ; 
It commands and receives the proud homage of earth ; 
And defies all the arts of the crowned heads combined, 
Who would trample it down,.and enslave all mankind: 
ft laughs at their folly, and scorns their vain toil, 
For each true man's a sovereign that treads on its soil. 

His Flag is his altar ; each hearth is a throne ; 
The cause of his country he feels as his own ; 
And proclaims to all tyrants and pitiful elves, 
That intelligent freemen can govern themselves : 
Be assured, then, that never a freeman will lag, 
When called to protect the American Flag. 




APOSTROPHE TO THE OCEAN. 27 



APOSTROPHE TO THE OCEAN. 

'TT^IS night: I am alone, and as I muse, 
-*- I feel my utter nothingness, compared 
With these thy works, O God. Above me bends 
The starry vault of heaven, in its unknown 
And unapproachable sublimity: 
While spread before, the broad Atlantic rolls, 
In fadeless grandeur, and eternal youth, 
Its mighty mass of waters. Here let me, 
In silent meditation, stand awhile. 
And watch the surges, in their scornful play. 
Curl up their crested heads, and dash their foam, 
In very sportiveness, beneath my feet. 
I love thee. Ocean. In my breast there dwells 
A cord that vibrates to the slightest breath 
Of melody; but how it swells, and thrills. 
When thou, with solemn, ceaseless hand dost sweep 
Thy mighty diapason, lulling all 
With thy harmonious breathings into peace ! 



28 APOSTROPHE TO THE OCEAN. 

I love thee, Ocean: but a little while 
Ago, and I was in thine own embrace; 
And thou didst toy with me in wantonness, 
And rock me on thy breast; and then in sport 
O'erwhelra me with thy waves, and careless toss 
Me like a feather on thy bosom. 

Now, 
My soul drinks in the grandeur of this scene ; 
And, as my vision takes its wide-spread range. 
O'er sky, o'er sea, o'er land, I kindling turn 
For some congenial ear in which to pour 
The gushing thoughts that crowd upon my mind ; 
But there is none: and all around is still, 
Except the restless spirit of the deep. 
With thee I would commune, and listen long. 
If thou wouldst but unfold thy history: 
But thou wilt not reply. Then list to me: 
Though thou art full of strength, and I am weak; 
Though thou art vast, and I an atom am; 
Though thou hast seen innumerable hosts 
Of men swept from the earth, as thy own waves 
Successive roll, and break upon the strand; — 
And I ere long, with all who now have life. 



AUTUMN HYMN. 29 

And millions upon millions yet unborn, 
Must swell the mighty throng ; while thou, the same. 
In strength, in youth and vigor, wilt roll on; — 
Still, shall I not — O blissful hope! — thou sea. 
Live on, when thy proud strength shall fail, and cease. 
And thy melodious voice is hushed in death? 



AUTUMN HYMN. 

T OVELY is the autumnal forest, 
-■ — ' In its many-hued array. 
Standing, grouped by Nature's florist, 
Like a vast and grand bouquet. 

Over all the soft, blue heaven. 
Shaded to a purpling haze, 

Fringed with tints of morn and even, 
Calm and still its blessing lays. 

*Tis God's temple; go unbidden, 
Through its aisles in freedom stroll. 

And a thousand voices hidden 
Tranquilize and teach the soul. 



30 AUTUMN HYMN. 

Odorous is the air, and saintly 
Shapes and shadows flit before, 

And the dusky light falls faintly 
On the tesselated floor. 

Each tree stands a lofty column. 
Capped with over -arching limbs, 

Where the winds, in concert solemn. 
Chant their wild and mournful hymns. 

Autumn leaves are slowly falling. 
Trembling through the dreamy air; 

They are words of preachers, calling 
Man to thoughtfulness and prayer: 

Words of wisdom, fitly spoken 
O'er the dying and the dead : 

Hear them, mortals, ere is broken 
Life's attenuated thread. 

Dust with dust is ever blending; 

Soul to soul forever flies; 
That, toward earth is ever tending; 

This, immortal, seeks the skies. 



LINES TO T. BUCHANAN READ. 3I 



LINES TO T. BUCHANAN READ. 

T LOVE thee, Read, for thou hast sung 
-^ In sweetest numbers, many a lay; 
And, like the earth in spring-time, flung 
Bright flowers of thought along life's way. 

Earth's beautiful and fragile blooms, 

A season only charm the eye. 
Then drop into their annual tombs; 

But thine, immortal, cannot die. 

Here young and old, and grave and gay, 
May cull with an unsparing hand. 

And still to others point **The Way," 
Or lead them to ''The Fairer Land." 

If aught a maiden's heart e'er grieves, 

'Twill soothe it, should she chance to see. 

While idly playing with the leaves. 

That *'Some things love me — even Me." 



32 LINES TO T. BUCHANAN READ. 

The '* Stranger," tired of turning o'er 
The musty tomes of science, will 

Come gently rapping at the door, 
And bless the time he crossed the **sill.'* 

And, wearied with the effort made 
To find some rare and curious thing 

The student, resting in the shade, 
Will dip into "The Wayside Spring." 

And he who loves to walk abroad 
And gaze on Nature's sober mien, 

Communing with himself and God, 
Will linger o'er '*The Closing Scene." 

To rural life who feel inclined, 

"The Pastoral" is ever free; 
Who love the ocean -shore, may find 

"The House" to dwell in "by the Sea." 

All tastes and fancies pure and chaste, 
All sights and sounds to nature true, 

All forms and motions not defaced. 
Are caught and mirrored to the view. 



BIRTH-DAY THOUGHTS. 33 

As ocean gathers all the streams 
To waft them back in genial rain, 

Thou gatherest, and the sweetest themes 
Float back from thy prolific brain. 



BIRTH-DAY THOUGHTS. 

T T PON the pinnacle of life I stand, 
^^ Midway between the cradle and the grave ; 
And as a sailor views the lessening strand, 

One lingering look on memory's page I crave; 
Which, faithful to its trust, holds up to view 
Some scenes E would not, if I could, renew. 

Here let me pause a moment, then, and gaze 
Upon each passing scene of life again; 

And view results, sought in my youthful days — 
So little now — so full of promise then; 

And smile at care and toil that seemed severe; 

For many an act of folly drop a tear. 

With careless footsteps, here, I ran along; 
There, loitering by the way in sylvan bower, 
C 



34 BIRTH-DAY THOUGHTS. 

I culled a gem or two, and sang a song; 

There, wantonly I crushed a lonely flower — 
Now quaffing madd'ning draughts from pleasure's 

stream — 
Now musing sat in youth's delicious dream. 

How like a dream the contemplation seems! 

As o'er the past I skip from place to place, 
And pause a moment on each spot that gleams 

With stronger colors from the picture's face: 
But wherefore longer on the picture dwell? 
That it is true to life, I know full well. 

For this poor heart is wayward at the best; 

If not the world, itself it doth deceive; 
For, what it longs for, that it may be blest. 

If gained, at last, is what it most may grieve : 
Still grieve, and fret, and hope, and long, it will, 
Until its last sad quiv'ring pulse is still. 

The past, alas! what wisdom has it brought. 

But patiently the future to await? 
The lessons by experience sadly taught. 

If learned at all, are chiefly learned too late : 
The only rule of action I can plan, 
Is honestly to do the best I can. 



LAUREL H ILL. 35 

And oh! what consolation is it here, 
As o'er the wrecks of time I sadly range, 

To know there is beyond a better sphere — 
A blissful Eden that can never change! 

Let me, O Father, bear thy chastening hand. 

So I at last may reach that happy land ! 



LAUREL HILL. 

T N this fair Eden of the dead 
-*- I love to while away the hours, 
To wander slow, and softly tread 

Among the graves, the trees, and flowers; 
See Schuylkill's waves come rippling up. 

Like laughing elves, the pebbles o'er. 
And gently kiss the buttercup, 

In sportive play along the shore. 

Here Spring puts on its loveliest smile, 
And wild birds sing their sweetest song. 

The heart from sorrow to beguile — 
Oh, I could linger all day long ! 



36 LAUREL HILL. 

For all is quiet, sweet, and lone, 

With song of bird, and murmuring wave, 

To soothe the heart, and make it own 

The truth that's whispered from the grave. 

Oh! must I die? how sad the thought, 

While all is loveliness around; 
To fall asleep, and be forgot. 

And moulder in the cold, damp ground! 
How sternly falls upon the heart 

The voice that answers from the urn: 
It must be so, **For, dust thou art. 

And unto dust shalt thou return ! ' ' 

Well might the heavy heart despair, 

If this were all that met the ear; 
But list! the heart may leap, for there 

Are other voices whisper here. 
Up -springing from the soft, green sod. 

The flowers their icy chains have riven; 
They smile, and say, there is a God — 

Call us to life, and point to heaven. 



WISS AH I CCON. 37 



WISSAHICCON. 

I j^AIR Wissahiccon, beauteous stream, 
-*- I ever loved thy waters bright; 
But thou more lovely far dost seem 

Beneath the moon's pale beams to-night. 

For overhanging rocks and wood 
Within thy bosom seem to lave; 

And flowers kiss thy cooling flood, 
And dally with thy rippling wave. 

And, richly clothed in robes of green, 
The hill and dale their charms bestow; 

And winding through this lovely scene, 
Thy crystal wavelets murmuring flow. 

And in the grove anon are heard. 
With startled ear, discordant screams. 

From some bereaved or lonely bird. 

That woos his mate, perchance, in dreams. 
4 



38 WISSAHICCON. 

But there is yet another charm, 

Which makes this scene a fairy -land 

For, resting fondly on my arm, 
I press Leona's trembling hand. 

Be still, thou wild bird in yon grove; 

And thou fair stream that glid'st along. 
Come listen to the tones of love. 

While now she sings thy bridal song. 

"Thou shalt not be, to-night, alone, 
For we will wander by thy side. 
And watch thy joyous waves leap on 
In haste to wed thy Schuylkill bride. 

'*And yonder, smiling on her way. 
Behold her come in beauty drest; 
While glancing bright the moonbeams play 
Like diamonds on her queenly breast. 

"Now gliding softly to her arms. 
Her pebbly bed thy waters seek ; 
And, mingling with her radiant charms. 
Thy wavelets kiss her virgin cheek. 



WISSAHICCON. 39 

"And thus united they will flow- 
No more among their hills again; 
But on their course will gently go, 
Till lost within their parent main. 

**So youth roams through its happy day, 
And scarcely stops its scenes to view, 
But leaps exulting on its way, 

And soon must bid them all adieu. 

**But we will think of this fair scene, 
Whene'er, arrayed in beauty bright, 
We gaze on yon majestic queen. 
That sweetly smiles on us to-night." 



40 MILLENNIAL THOUGHTS. 



MILLENNIAL THOUGHTS. 

T F every heart was full of truth, 
•^ And every tongue was free from guile; 
If each cheek wore the hue of youth, 

And on each lip reposed a smile; 
If words were kind, and fitly spoken; 

If actions sprung from love, not fear; 
If holy vows were never broken ; 

If pain and sorrow wrung no fear; 

If none were rich, and none were poor; 

If none were great, and none were small; 
If life had nothing to endure. 

And peace and plenty reigned o'er all; 
If each one loved himself and neighbor 

As justly, truly, and as well. 
And dignified himself by labor 

Upon the land on which we dwell; 

Then earth, as Eden, soon would bloom, 
And angels o'er it vigils keep; 



THE BATTLE OF THE BOOKS. 4I 

While life would be devoid of gloom, 
And death would be a tranquil sleep — 

Like evening shadows o'er us closing, 

While all the heaven is bright above, , 

Where happy spirits are reposing, 
Inviting to this realm of love. 



THE BATTLE OF THE BOOKS. 

A STORY OF INDIAN HILL, OHIO. 

'TT^HOUGH far away my steps have strayed, 

•^ From thy green fields and woodland shade, 
In lonely hours of thought, I still 
Oft turn to thee, fair Indian Hill. 
'Twas there these eyes, that yet are bright, 
First caught, with filmy gaze, the light; 
There respiration gently heaved 
This breast, that often since hath grieved, 
And thrilled, with many a trifling toy. 
As oft it did when but a boy; 
'Twas there from that eternal cup. 
This stream of life first bubbled up; 
4* 



42 THE BATTLE OF THE BOOKS. 

And, as I trace its devious course, 

The objects brighten near its source; 

Perchance because the rippling rill. 

While leaping down the rock and hill, 

Is clearer in its rapid flow. 

Than deeper stream that moves more slow. 

How vividly before my eyes 
The scenes of boyhood now arise ! 
Around I see the neighboring farms. 
And cottages with rustic charms. 
Broad fields with ripening plenty bloom. 
And spacious barns to give it room. 
My own loved home I see again. 
Upon the hill -side up the lane; 
And murmuring by, the pebbles o'er, 
Still gently flows the Sycamore. 

Close by, where cross roads, corner lands, 
The Union School -house frowning stands; 
Where many a wight who chanced by fate 
To play his tricks, or come too late. 
Or have his task but poorly conned, 
Has felt the rod with jacket donned. 



THE BATTLE OF THE BOOKS. 43 

And sometimes too with jacket doffed, 
Lest it might chance to fall too soft; 
Or felt upon his out - stretched palm, 
For broken rules there was a balm; 
And, though repentant, gave good token 
He wished, at least, the rule was broken. 

A custom — whence it took its rise, 
I cannot even now surmise — 
Prevailed among the boys at school. 
That, if the '* master" wished to rule 
With his accustomed power and sway, 
On Christmas, or on New Year's day. 
He must bring out a handsome ^ ' treat ; ' ' 
And if he failed, he lost his seat, 
And found himself from school ''barred out," 
By youthful rebels, firm and stout. 
Who, though of heroes but the germs. 
Were still prepared to make their terms. 

It chanced, one Christmas holiday, 
A ''master" failed respect to pay 
To this time -honored "common law;" 
Which if obeyed, he clearly saw 



44 THE BATTLE OF THE BOOKS. 

Would much impair his power to rule. 
And stop the progress of the school. 
So, therefore, he resolved to try 
And break it up, or pass it by. 
But when, as usual, he appeared. 
The rebels from the windows leered, 
^ Then shouted out with merry din, 
** Bring on your treat, we'll let you in." 

'The *' master" paused, and looked about. 
Then talked with those that were without, 
And bid them all make up their mind, 
And take which side they felt inclined. 
These matters settled, he began 
To open out his future plan. 
He sent some to the neighboring wood, 
For hickory switches, long and good; 
Others he bid a range still wider. 
And some bring apples, some bring cider; 
Some build a fire, whose flames soon rose 
To warm their courage and their toes. 
The messengers at length returned; 
And soon their breasts with ardor burned, 
As now the "master" led his band, 
Well armed, each with his whip in hand, 



THE BATTLE OF THE BOOKS. 45 

In martial order, up before 

The barred and bolted school - house door. 

The tempting '* treat" was now displayed, 

And greeted with a joyous shout, 
While those inside, somewhat dismayed. 

Still felt that they must venture outj 
For surely there they saw the ** treat," 
Designed, of course, for all to eat; 
And reasoning thus, unbarred the door. 

But lo! there stood the *' master's" men 
In grim array, drawn up before 

It. — They were glad to close again: 
For woe to him who poked his nose 
Within the reach of hickory blows. 
Prepared to fall both strong and fast, 
Before the lines could e'en be passed. 
They closed the door, put up the bar; 
And called a council grave of war. 
To ascertain what should be done; 
For it was clear this was not fun 
Of just exactly their own sort. 
Though others seemed to love the sport. 
But, must they^ meekly now surrender? 
No, base the heart that was so tender. 



46 THE BATTLE OF THE BOOKS. 

The war determined now to wage, 

With all the force they could command 
They grasped and hurled the fluttering page 

Of Webster, and his kindred band. 
And some who ''caught it" sore complained. 

Though they had pondered Webster o'er. 
Yet all the knowledge it contained 

Ne'er struck them with such force before. 

Meantime the siege was carried on; 

Nor was the work offensive done; 

For, scaling now the chimney -top. 

They placed on boards the smoke to stop, 

Which poured out in the room below. 

And caused their eyes to overflow. 

The fire they must, of course, put out, 

Or they were surely put to rout. 

And windows raise, to give them breath. 

Or they were surely smoked to death. 

In this dilemma, one by one. 

They deemed it best to quit and run. 

Slip from the windows, trust their heels 

To scale the fence, and cross the fields. 

But rarely one escaped the chase, 

Without a well - contested race; 



THE BATTLE OF THE BOOKS. 4/ 

And many a stripe the rebels caught 
Before they gained the nearest lot. 

The day was drawing to a close : 
But few remained, the larger those, 
Who, with firm purpose in their eye, 
Resolved to fight, ere they would fly. 
Though doomed to quit the bootless field, 
They made no terms, asked none to shield, 
But sullenly gave up the fray. 
Unbarred the door, and went their way. 

Thus, Indian Hill, thy bard hath sung 

The famous Battle of the Books; 
When tyranny by bribery wrung 

From thy proud sons their manly looks. 
And liberty, to all so sweet. 
To claim on holidays a treat. 
Thus were thy sons, though stout and bold,, 

Forced to retire, each to his cottage. 
And see his honored birthright sold. 

By recreants for one mess of pottage. 



48 CHIDING. 



CHIDING. 

"P) EPROACH will seldom mend the young, 
-■- ^ If they are left to need it ; 
The breath of love must stir the tongue, 
If you would have them heed it. 



How oft we see a child caressed 

For little faults and failings, 
Which should have been at first suppressed 

To save the after railings! 

If, when the heart would go astray. 
You would the passion smother. 

You must not tear the charm away. 
But substitute another. 

Thus it is pleasant to be led. 

If he who leads will measure 
The heart's affection by the head, 

And make pursuit a pleasure. 



THE END OF THE WORLD. 49 



THE END OF THE WORLD. 

nr^HE earth was dry and parched : it had not rained 

-^ For many months, and all the fountains failed. 
The sun poured down his hot and cheerless rays 
With dazzling brightness ; vegetation all 
Had withered up and died ; and man and beast 
Lay nerveless and exhausted on the ground. 
The earth had cracked, and issuing from the seams 
There came a scorching steam, with now and then 
A fitful flash of flame. The eddying wind 
In sudden gusts sighed mournfully, and whirled 
The dried and crumbling fragments high in air. 
The sky became o'ercast with dense black clouds 
That hung as Nature's pall, from which anon 
The forked lightnings streamed, succeeded by 
The deafening peals of thunder long and loud 
Reverberating till earth shook as one 
With terror struck. 

The boiling ocean heaved 
In wild and angry mood its foamy waves, 
5 D 



50 THE END OF THE WORLD. 

Engulfing in its scalding brine the fleet, 
And dashing far up on its rocky strand 
The torn and scattered fragments. 

Long pent up, 
The fire at length burst forth, and wrapped the earth 
In one vast sheet of curling, crackling flame : 
Mountains, upheaved, fell crashing back again, 
And rent the earth in chasms wide and deep. 
Through which the ocean - torrents hissing flowed. 
The earth, appalled, stood still, and for a time 
Refused the laws of motion to obey; 
Till gathering force from her consuming fires, 
She reeled, and in her last expiring throe 
Shot from her orbit with the lightning's speed 
Far in the trackless void of space profound, 
Leaving behind a lurid stream of flame. 
The moon, obedient to her laws, pursued, 
But soon was left without restraint behind. 
And now, without her ancient guide, she stood 
Confounded and amazed ; until at length 
With gentle oscillations settling down. 
She glided smoothly in the earth's old path. 
And held her course obedient to the sun. 



TH E POOR. 51 



THE POOR. 

Give me neither poverty nor riches. — Prov. 

'nr^ELL not the poor that poverty knows 

-*■ A bliss that wealth would never disclose; 
That their sleep is sound, and their bread is sweet, 
Because of their toil through cold and heat; 
For poverty robs, as well as wealth, 
The cheek of its bloom, and the pulse of its health; 
They both are evils for man to bear; 
But poverty has the greater share. 

The cares of wealth, we will all allow. 
Will furrow the cheek, and knit the brow; 
But poverty's cares have a keener smart. 
For they do all this, and oppress the heart: 
'Tis enough to cause its strings to break. 
To think of the shifts, which it must make. 
The pain and neglect which it must endure: — 
'Tis a thankless lot to be honest and poor. 



52 THE POOR. 

Wealth, though obtained by a thousand wiles, 
Still gains for its owner, caresses and smiles; 
And show me the man, either grave or gay. 
That will turn from the world's applause away. 
But hard to be borne is the poor man's lot; 
Why should his breast have a generous thought. 
Or his heart ever thrill with a noble command. 
To be withered and crushed with an empty hand ! 

He must rise with the dawn, and hasten away. 
To commence his toil for the live-long day. 
In factory, field, the shop, or the mart. 
With a steady hand, and a willing heart; 
Have his powers taxed to their fullest stretch, 
To gain the end of some craving wretch. 
Who values him, as he does everything, 
For what he is worth, and what he will bring. 

With the comforts wealth may now obtain. 
The winter tempest may beat in vain; 
But how does it tell on the half-clad forms 
Exposed to the chilling winter storms; 
Or crowded together, cheerless and cold. 
In a. small, rude dwelling, open and old, 



THE POOR. 53 

That rattles and creaks, as the cold winds blow, 
And sift through the chinks the drifting snow! 

'Tis pleasant in summer's hottest days. 

When the sun pours down his burning rays. 

In some cool shade to recline at ease. 

While the brow is fanned by the grateful breeze; 

But when do the poor find leisure hours, 

To loll at their ease in shady bowers? 

They must toil in the heat, with reeking limbs, 

Till the heart is faint, and the dull brain swims. 

And pain, with its haggard look forlorn. 

Of half of its terrors may be shorn, 

When wealth, with the comforts which it lends, 

Brings the sympathy of troops of friends; 

But the poor, alas! who pities them. 

As they droop, like a plant rudely torn from its stem, 

Alone, on their pallet of straw to die. 

Unknown to the world as it hurries by? 

O ye, who feast till your senses pall. 
On the blessings Heaven designs for all. 
To be happy, learn, of your hoarded store. 
You need much less, and the poor need more. 
5* 



54 A K EVENING REVERIE. 

Ye brood o'er the wealth, oppressed and sad, 
That should make your hearts, and thousands glad, 
And forget that you cannot be happy alone: 
'Tis the bliss of others that makes our own. 



AN EVENING REVERIE. 

•' I ^HE sun has set, and the shade of even, 

-^ Like sleep, is falling on weary eyes; 
But, floating in light, the moon, mid -heaven. 

Reflects it back where the shadow lies. 
So, groping here, in the gloom of sadness, 

I catch some light, though in feeble beams, 
And throw it back, like the moon, with gladness. 

To cheer the path where the twilight gleams. 

But the flush of glory that meets my vision, 
Reaching deep in the bending blue. 

My spirit thrills with a dream elysian; 
Longing for light on its pinions, too; 

And it floats away, on its wing ascending, 
Beyond earth's shadow, that darkening looms 



AN EVENING REVERIE. 55 

In the fields of beauty, o'er me bending, 
To bathe, in the flashing light, its plumes. 

Ha! dost thou tremble in yon blue regions, 

'Mid splendors that make yon sun grow dim. 
And quail, at the sight of life-like legions. 

Or start at the flash of the seraphim? 
Thy sins are about thee as a mountain. 

The dust of earth is upon thy wing; 
And thou must bathe in thy Saviour's fountain. 

Ere thou shalt be free to soar and sing. 




56 STANZAS, 



STANZAS. 

'nr^IS autumn's ripe and solemn reign; 

-*- With melancholy cadence sweeps 
The mournful breeze along the plain, 

Like sorrow's sigh when beauty weeps. 
The sunlight falls upon the ground 

In mellow lustre, and the trees 
Their varied foliage around 

Them fling to every wayward breeze. 
Soon must Pomona shuddering go 

To meet her certain annual doom; 
While winter, with its ice and snow. 

Shall hang upon the land in gloom. 

Then let us fly from this bleak spot 
To sunny climes, whose vernal smile, 

In wild luxuriance, harbors nought 

But charms that will our hours beguile; 

Where softly - floating southern gales 

Come richly laden, from the vales ? 



STANZAS. 57 

And orange groves, with sweet perfume, 
And spring lives on in fadeless bloom; 
Where bowers in arching beauty bend 

Their cooling shade upon the green; 
And warbling birds and fountains blend 

Their music with the lovely scene. 

Where e'en the bee his toiling hours 

Forgets, and only revelling sips, 
And hangs upon the luscious flowers. 

Like kisses on love's lingering lips; 
Where amorous nature's glowing charms. 

Displayed profusely, all may prove, 
And, nestling in her rosy arms. 

Feel that the world was made for love: 
There, folding fondly on my breast 

The loveliest form to earth e'er given, 
In dreams of love my soul would rest, 

And envy scarce the bliss of heaven. 



58 AN ASPIRATION. 



AN ASPIRATION. 

T ET me not perish, Holy One in heaven! 
-■ — ' The vital flame that gave this being birth 
Mysteriously is fed; and morn and even, 

I thank Thee that my footsteps press the earth. 
The thirst for life, with age, will it grow stronger? 

I know not, though it seems not so to me; 
Yet would my spirit cling a little longer 

To this frail form, ere it shall cease to be. 

Let me not perish in life's busy morning — 

So little done; and yet so much to do — 
This temple, oh! how much it needs adorning! 

The fields are whitening, and the hands are few. 
Not while each willing sense invites its duty. 

And gives such charms to being day and night. 
That earth appears an Eden in her beauty. 

Lit by those far-off flashing isles of light. 

Let me not perish while the heart still trembles 
With gushing tenderness and holy love, 



AN ASPIRATION. 59 

That in its warmth, and depth, and height resembles 
The love of angels in the realms above. 

Not while these dear and cherished ones aromid me 
Caress the care-worn sadness from my cheek, 

And chase away the ills of life that wound me, 
And look a language that they cannot speak. 

Let me not perish, Holy One .in heaven ! 

When, done with earth, I yield my faltering breath. 
And this now active body Thou hast given, 

All motionless and cold must sleep in death. 
But clothe my spirit with immortal pinions. 

That it may soar away from earth and time; 
Beyond the circle of death's dark dominions, 

Into a higher, happier, holier clime. 




60 ELLA, 



ELLA. 

SHE sat, a lonely little child, 
And sang a plaintive lullaby, 
In tone so gentle, sweet, and mild, 
'Twas like the passing zephyr's sigh. 

And folded closely on her breast. 

That scarce her own frail being warmed, 

As mothers do, she fondly pressed 
The doll her little hands had formed. 

Though rude in form, and illy clad, 

It answered for her young heart's shrine; 

*Twas all to her, and all she had. 
And prized above the richest mine. 

Her little form was full of grace; 

Her mien, as gentle as a dove; 
The soul that beamed from her sweet face, 

A type of innocence and love. 



ELLA. 6l 

While gazing on her pensive eye, 

That swam in light so soft and clear, 

I thought some cherub from on high 
Had missed its way, and lingered here. 

Unlike her mates of tender years, 

She sought no wild and boisterous play; 

And yet it was not childish fears 

That kept her from their mirth away: 

Nor pride; for she had never known 

The luxury of being spoiled; 
Her home no comforts claimed its own. 

But those for which its inmates toiled. 

Yes, toiled from dawn to evening's close, 
And oft beside the lamp's dull flame, 

Until the hours left for repose 

Failed to restore the weary frame. 

Sweet one, is this thy heritage? 

Hath life no other cup for thee? 
I trembled for the coming age. 

That must unfold her destiny. 
6 



62 ELLA. 

To wreck the bark with beauty fraught, 
Life hath at every step a snare; 

The wonder is, that it is not. 

And not, so much, that thousands are. 

Those busy hands are all too full, 

Or weary, lessons to impart; 
And how shall she the precepts cull, 

To guide her steps and guard her heart? 

One day I missed her from my way. 

And asked for her, with trembling breath; 

They showed the couch on which she lay. 
All cold and beautiful in death. 

I could have wept, while gazing on 

That pale young cheek and placid brow; 

But felt 'twas better she was gone, 
For there, I know, she's happy now. 




CHILDHOOD. 63 



CHILDHOOD. 

/^"^ HILDHOOD, sweet and sunny childhood, 
^-^ With its careless, thoughtless air, 
Like the verdant, tangled wildwood, 
Wants the training hand of care. 

See it springing all around us — 
Glad to know, and quick to learn; 

Asking questions that confound us; 
Teaching lessons in its turn. 

Who loves not its joyous revel, 

Leaping lightly on the lawn. 
Up the knoll, along the level, 

Free and graceful as a fawn? 

Let it revel; it is nature 

Giving to the little dears 
Strength of limb, and healthful features. 

For the toil of coming years. 



64 CHILDHOOD. 

He who checks a child with terror, 
Stops its play, and stills its song, 

Not alone commits an error. 
But a great and moral wrong. 

Give it play, and never fear it — 
Active life is no defect; 

Never, never break its spirit — 
Curb it only to direct. 

Would you dam the flowing river. 
Thinking it would cease to flow? 

Onward it must go forever — 
Better teach it where to go. 

Childhood is a fountain welling. 
Trace its channel in the sand. 

And its currents, spreading, swelling. 
Will revive the withered land. 

Childhood is the vernal season; 

Trim and train the tender shoot; 
Love is to the coming reason, 

As the blossom to the fruit. 



JUDGE NOT. 65 

Tender twigs are bent and folded — 

Art to nature beauty lends; 
Childhood easily is moulded; 

Manhood breaks, but seldom bends. 



JUDGE NOT. 

JUDGE not — the honest and sincere, 
Wherever they may stand, 
Should have a brother's word to cheer, 
A brother's helping hand. 

Judge not — what if we judge aright 

A thousand in the throng; 
'T^i^ere better left undone than blight 

One heart by judging wrong. 

Judge not — the motive lies too deep 

For other eyes to scan; 
'Tis ours to watch our own, and keep 

It pure toward God and man. 
6* E 



66 JUDGENOT. 

Judge not — although the deed be one 

By which one stood or fell ; 
It may be that we should have done 

No better, if as well. 

Judge not — 'twere vain to search the cause 

That underlies the deed; 
The soul must answer to its laws, 

And not to any creed. 

Judge not — remember it was He 
Who came from heaven to save, 

And taught great truths so lovingly, 
This precept also gave. 




THEALBUM. 6/ 



THE ALBUM. 

T T OW I regret to soil thy page, 
-*■ -*- Thou emblem of life's tender years, 
On which the withering stroke of age 

Has neither dropped its frowns nor tears! 

But soft impressions, warm and brief. 
May now be made, and in thee dwell j 

And time will checker o'er each leaf, 
As age o'er beauty throws its spell. 

Then in thy bosom yield a place. 
To all that's lovely, good, and fair, 

But never let the vulgar trace. 
Within thy breast, his image there. 



68 TO 



TO 

TT 7HY is it that thy form so fair, 
• ' Should pass before, in fitful gleams. 

My fancy's wakeful hours of care, 
As well as those that pass in dreams? 

Why should those eyes, whose gentle light 
Seems caught from some fair orb in heaven, 

Beam softly on my 'raptured sight. 
Like lingering rays at dewy even? 

Why should the pressure of that hand 
Send to my heart a glowing thrill. 

Whose throbs heed not the stern command 
Which bids its quickened pulse be still? 

Why should those lips, whose tempting bait 

Allures me, if it were a sin. 
Inviting smile, and seal my fate, 

One blissful moment thus to win? 



TO 69 

Why should they not? I am but man — 
An angel well might leave the bliss 

In yon fair world, such charms to scan, 
And lingering wish to dwell in this. 

Then blame me not, when thus I take 
My harp, and bow at beauty's shrine; 

The cords of feeling all must break. 
Or vibrate to a touch like thine. 

And harp and heart their tribute pay, 
Responsive to love's gushing charms; 

My heart shall yield its tuneful lay; 
While I would fold thee in my arms* 

With what delight my breast would swell, 

To pillow there thy head to rest! 
Like some fair nymph in ocean shell. 

Rocked by the billow's heaving breast. 

But oh ! a thought must break the spell 
Which fondly nestles round the heart; 

That those whose hearts could love so well, 
Are coldly doomed to dwell apart. 



70 SONG. 

Though there are vows that sunder here, 
They are of earth, and must be riven; 

Our spirits, in some happier sphere, 
May blend in ecstasies of heaven. 



SONG. 



TT TE met one morn in rosy spring, 

' ^ And rambled through the field. 
Where apple -boughs their blossoms fling, 

And fragrant incense yield. 
As graceful as the bird on wing, 

As free from art or pride — 
A gay and joyous happy thing. 

Was Lelia by my side. 

As happy as the bird that sings 
All day long free from care — 

We loved each other, and all things 
On which we gazed were fair. 

Around us, all seemed made to bless — 
The earth — the sky above: 



THE UNKNOWN. ^l 

We thought the world was made for us, 
And we were made for love. 

But when the summer-time was gone, 

And autumn's fading hue 
Took leaf and flower, one by one, 

Fair Lelia faded too. 
Again the blossom's on the bough, 

I catch its fragrant breath, 
But all is cold and cheerless now, 

For Lelia sleeps in death. 



THE UNKNOWN. 

'nr^HOU unknown one, whose radiant charms 

■*■ Have thrown around my heart a spell. 
Which clasps it, as it were thine arms. 

And bids me its emotions tell, 
Forgive me for this rude address. 

Since thou the fair aggressor art; 
For had thy beauty charmed me less. 

It would not then have won my heart. 



72 THE UNKNOWN. 

I oft have marked the witching smile 

That played upon those lips of thine; 
And as I stood entranced the while, 

More eyes gazed on thy form than mine. 
And when our eyes have met alone, 

How one soft glance has stirred the strings 
Of my poor heart, and made it own 

That beauty's eyes are dangerous things! 

But thou, fair one, with charms so rare, 

By nature's hand so richly crowned, 
Must guard the treasm-e, and beware; 

For beauty stands on dangerous ground. 
For there are those whose winning wiles 

Are ever practised to destroy; 
And while the face is wreathed in smiles. 

The heart, alas! is base alloy. 




A BUTTERFLY ON THE WATER. J I 



A BUTTERFLY ON THE WATER. 

/^■^ AY thing, thou'st wandered far away 
^-^ From thy secure and peaceful bowers, 
Where joyous thou didst flit and play 
Among the fields o'erstrewn with flowers: 

And trusting to thy feeble wing. 
Hast left the safe and smiling land, 

To seek new pleasures — giddy thing = — 
Upon a far and unknown strand. 

Were there not sweets enough to try. 
On flowery mead and blooming vine? 

Perchance a rival met thine eye, 
With fairer plumage still than thine; 

Or, spurning thy ancestral line. 
Life was a burden on such terms. 

And being born to fly and shine. 

Thou wouldst not look on vulgar worms. 
7 



74 A BUTTERFLY ON THE WATER. 

And now thy gay but weary plumes 
Can scarce sustain thy venturous flight ; 

Thou canst not reach the distant blooms 
That did thy curious eye invite. 

Still lower falls thy faltering way, 

And thou art far from friendly shore; 

The fish has marked thee for his prey : 
He leaps — and thy gay life is o'er! 

And thus, I thought, it is in life: 
The young and gay will venture on. 

In heedless mirth and giddy strife. 
Till, borne so far, all hope is gone. 

Regret and effort all are vain; 

They cannot, if they would, retrace 
Their steps to innocence again: 

The grave the record must efface. 



HOME. ^5 



HOME. 

'' I ^HE South may boast her teeming soil, 
-*- Which richly pays the laborer's toil; 
Her genial air — her early spring, 
With all the luxuries they bring ; 
But she cannot my heart enchain — 
Give me my Northern Home again. 

I love its wild, romantic scenes; 

Its craggy rocks, and deep ravines; 

Its cloud-capped mountains, and its vales; 

Its cool retreats, and bracing gales; 

Its crystal streams and murmuring rills — 

Give me again my Northern Hills. 

I love the cottage and the green. 
Where hardy sons, with rustic mien, 
In meek contentment ply the plough. 
And bashful maidens milk the cow. 
And rosy health breathes wild and free — 
My Northern Home again give me. 



y6 HOME. 

There, with my pretty black -eyed maid, 

I've wandered in the forest shade, 

And danced, ere Luna's beams were gone, 

So lightly o'er the dewy lawn. 

These scenes from memory ne'er will fade- 

Give me my Home and black -eyed maid. 

From thee, dear girl, and from my Home, 
I ne'er again may wish to roam 
Beyond the light of those dark eyes. 
Which more than wealth and state I prize. 
Give me but these, I'll not complain — 
My pretty maid and Home again. 




BETTY. 77 



BETTY. 

TT) ETTY is a winsome lady, 
■^^ Fair in form, and full of grace, 
Gentle in her mien and nature, 
With a smiling, healthful face. 



Betty's lips are like the coral, 
And the rose is on her cheek. 

Calm her brow, and ever thoughtful, 
Eyes, you think, about to speak. 

Quick in thought; but slow in speaking; 

Truthful, timid, loving, kind; 
Yet the right fixed and decided. 

Maybe she will change her mind! 

Betty, if she had no fortune. 
Need not be without a mate; 

She could choose herself a husband. 
When she fancied such a fate, 
7* 



78 BETTY. 

But she's rich in worldly treasure, 
And, of course, all o'er the land 

There are suitors pining, dying, 
To possess her charming hand. 

She could drive her coach and horses, 
Flaunt in fashion's giddy throng; 

Lead the ton at routs and parties. 
Loved and petted, right or wrong. 

But she teaches little children. 
Just as others do, and should; 

Not that she is fond of teaching. 
But that she may do some good: 

Takes her place among the scholars 
Gathered in the public school, 

Gains their love, and governs wisely 
With her firm, but gentle rule. 

She has higher, truer notions 
Of the aims and ends of life. 

Than to waste her thoughts on fashion, 
With its envyings and strife. 



LEAD ON. 79 

Would that in this world of trial, 
More were found to take this stand, 

And, by acts of self-denial. 
Be a blessing to the land! 



LEAD ON. 

T EAD — it surely is much better 
-■ — ' That God's image be not driven; 
Love's the only gentle fetter 
That the angels use in heaven. 

Lead on — bravely, firmly, kindly; 

Better is it thus to strive; 
Men will often follow blindly 

Whom no earthly power can drive. 

Lead on — till the good be tasted, 
Motive right, and firmly held; 

Driving is but labor wasted; 

None are better when compelled. 



80 LEAD ON. 

Lead on in the path of duty, 

Heed not blame or blandishment, 

Or the syren voice of beauty; 
Life's too short to be misspent. 

Lead the child, the youth, the maiden, 
Through the dangerous vale of youth, 

That in age they may be laden 
With the ripening fruit of truth. 

Lead the aged and the feeble 

Gently down life's lessening strand; 

They led us when they were able. 
Lend them now a helping hand. 

Lead the poor where honest labor 
Will repay with healthful bread ; 

Man to man should be a neighbor. 
Leading on, or being led. 

Lead the erring — God knows only 
How the heart may have been tried; 

Sad, at best, their lot, and lonely; 
Lead them back to virtue's side. 



MUSIC. 8l 

Lead on — what if some do falter? 

Do not think them all to blame; 
Those that use the whip and halter, 

Feeling them, might do the same. 

Lead on — it is surely better: 

Man with man should never strive; 

Leave for beasts the goad and fetter; 
Lead on bravely, never drive. 



MUSIC. 



'nr^O me thy magic charm is ever dear, 

-*- Sweet Tranquilizer of my inmost soul; 
But every cord within responds to hear 
The deep -toned organ's diapason roll. 

When in the western sky the sun sinks down, 
But lends to thee, to deck the dewy plains, 

Thou beauteous queen of night, thy silver crown; 
O, music, then how mellow are thy strains! 
F 



82 MUSIC. 

The slumbering maid would fain the time prolong, 
When waked by some soft lute she breathes a sigh, 

To think that he who pours his soul in song 
To her so near, is npt still nearer by. 

Thy light, lascivious notes inspire the dance, 

Where eyes look love, and hearts beat high with pride, 

Encircling all within the giddy trance ; 

They turn the waltz, or gallop side by side. 

Thy martial spirit leads the warrior on. 
In human blood his battle - blade to lave ; 

And when the fight is done, and life is gone, 
Thy notes, subdued, escort him to the grave. 




MEDITATION. 83 



MEDITATION. 

A LMIGHTY Source of Life ! one single ray 
•^ ^ Of thine own essence, that a lodgment found 
In this frail tenement of crumbling dust, 
Now, through its portals dim, addresses thee, 
As a lone beam of light its parent sun. 

Far as the finite from the infinite 
Am I from thee, yet thou art near to me — 
So near that every whisper from these lips. 
Each thought within the chambers of this soul, 
Vibrates upon thy ever - listening ear. 

All we can see or feel attests thy power: 
Each atom, playing in the quivering light, 
Each waving blade of grass, each trembling leaf, 
Each palpitating heart, each rolling orb, 
Each wheeling system, with its central sun, 
Is but the restless motion of thy life; 
For thou art all in all. Eternity 



84 MEDITATION. 

And time, and space, thy presence ever fills. 
Thy being is the boundless universe : 
Thy self-sustaining power, the pulse that throbs 
With ceaseless energy throughout the whole. 
Thou art the only independent one; 
Above all aid; all else that is, depends 
Each moment of existence on thy will. 
Thou art a fountain inexhaustible, 
Receiving nothing, yet from thy full urn 
Forever pouring forth the stream of life. 
Whose currents flow along the vale of time; 
And giving bounteously from thy full hand 
The blessings which thy erring children need. 

Thou art the source of wisdom. From thy throne 
Forever flow its radiant beams, 
Illuminating all created things, 
And kindling even latent light in me. 
Who fain would praise and magnify thy name. 

How grand, and how incomprehensible 
Art thou to man's sublimest reach of thought! 
No human thought that does not limit thee: 
Thy being it can only circumscribe, 



MEDITATION. 85 

And give it, in thyself, a local home; 
For how can finite beings comprehend 
The magnitude of that which has no bounds ! 
But though, in contemplating thee, our minds 
Are lost in wonder, how much more are we 
O'erwhelmed when we dwell on thy wondrous love! 
Oh ! surely we may put our hope in thee. 
For thou dost love us, and art strong to save. 
There is a holy trust each heart may feel 
Which none can take away; a peace, so calm 
And tranquil, that the rudest storms of life 
Cannot disturb the joy it gives. These are 
Thy gifts, O God, through Jesus Christ, thy Son, 
To them that love and trust thee: — Peace on earth, 
Support in death, and happiness in heaven. 



86 SPRING. 



SPRING. 

OWEET Spring is on the earth again; 
^^ The sun returns with genial rays; 
And bird, and brook, and hill, and plain, 

Send forth a joyous song of praise. 
Kind nurse of Nature! thou hast laid 

Thy carpet o'er the smiling land, 
But tender germ, and bud, and blade 

Still claim thy careful, fostering hand. 

Though sweet thy coming footsteps, still 

Thou bringest not the bounding joy 
That made my pulses leap and thrill 

When I was but a careless boy. 
And heard the bluebird's early note, 

Prophetic of thy gentle sway, 
And saw the chilly vapors float 

Upon the soft, warm winds away: 

And hailed the clear and tranquil sky, 

The fresh, green earth, the blossoms' hues, 



SPRING. 8/ 

And felt that I could almost fly 

With feet released from cumbrous shoes; 

And roved, light-hearted, strong and brave. 
Through orchard, meadow, field, or copse, 

Or dared the brooklet's rippling wave, 
Or sported on the sunny slopes : 

And when the sun had drank the dew, 

Reclined upon the soft, green sod. 
And looked up in the heaven of blue, 

And thought it wa,s the home of God, 
Whose robe was dropped, and loosely flung 

Around the vision -bounded bowers, 
So still and beautiful it hung 

To curtain this fair world of ours: 

And often wished that I could see. 

Behind its folds, the land of bliss; 
I did not think that there could be 

A fairer world beyond than this. 
Ah, happy days, forever gone, . 

Ye come no more, as once ye came ! 
My course is on, forever on. 

But thou, fair Spring, art still the same. 



88 THE TRUANTS. 



THE TRUANTS. 

/^^OME hither, truants, you have played 
^"-^ An hour or so upon the lea. 
While I have dozed beneath the shade 

Of this old patriarchal tree. 
I now would know where you have been. 

Through what wild pleasures you have run, 
What you have done, as well as seen: 

Come, tell me truly, one by one. 

And Fancy said, '^I led the way 

O'er hill and dale, surpassing fair. 
To that bright realm, which people say 

Is full of * castles in the air.* 
And there I built a castle too. 

In which I fain would wish to dwell; 
But Truth said it would never do: 

And this is all I have to tell." 

Then Love said, '*I to Lelia's bower 
Upon my rosy pinions flew. 



THE TRUANTS. 89 

And, like the bee on dewy flower, 
I kissed from her sweet lips the dew. 

And nestled on her bosom fair. 

That rocked me as it *rose and fell,' 

While thus I fondly sported there : 
And this is all I have to tell." 

Hope said, "The Present is so stale. 

The Future's scenes my thoughts employ; 
So, I just pulled aside the veil 

To please my little sister, Joy; 
But when she took a peep inside. 

It was so dark it frightened her. 
And, running off from me, she cried, 

*The Present I would much prefer.' " 

*'I climbed," said Fame, **the laurel -tree; 

And, twisting from its stem a bough, 
Wreathed this fair chaplet that you see. 

And place it now upon your brow." 
And where was Reason all the while, 

I charged o'er all his eye to keep? 
They whispered softly, with a smile, 

**The sluggard lay there fast asleep." 



90 WE MET. 



WE MET. 

'\T TE met, alone: 

^ ^ I gazed upon thy form — my eye met thine, 
And soon my heart was bending at a shrine 
It dare not own. 

We met again: 
And thine own hand familiarly caressed — 
While circling round thy form, close to my breast, 

1 pressed thee then. 

O, words how weak 
To tell the bliss, when lip to lip once clings — 
When the warm heart but trembles on its strings, 

Too full to speak! 

It is a spell 
I would not break with words, however warm; 
It is too deep for utterance; its charm 

Let silence tell. 



WE MET. 91 

But it is gone; 
A sad, intrusive thought my heart will grieve, — 
Let it not thine, — that I so soon must leave 

My gentle one. 

And must we part? 
What solace shall I seek, away from thee. 
Tell me, thou boasted, vain philosophy 

To soothe the heart. 

And this is life! 
Its dearest, tenderest ties so soon are broken, 
That we may scarcely treasure up one token, 

From its sad strife. 

But I will keep 
Thy image near my heart, though far away 
From thee, on land or sea, by night, by day, 

Awake, asleep. 




92 SONGOFTHESOUL. 



SONG OF THE SOUL. 

T T THY comes, still oft, the measured thought, 

^ ^ As music's mellow strain 
Floats sweetly to the sense unsought. 

And stirs the throbbing brain? 

The body groweth old and weak, 

Howe'er in spirit young; 
The burning words the soul would speak, 

Fall feebly from the tongue. 

*'The spirit's willing, but the flesh 

Is weak," though struggling still 
To give responses quick and fresh, 

To mandates of the will. 

Beyond a few more years, at best. 

No power on earth can save 
The body, which must find its rest, 

And moulder in the grave. 



SONG OF THE SOUL. 93 

What hath it done? O, spirit, say! 

Thou canst the story tell: 
"But little in the proper way, 

And even that not well." 

Beset on every hand with ill; 

Necessity its law; 
How could the judgment guide the will, 

Or change the wrong it saw? 

Not what it would, but what it must. 

Left no free choice, but strife, 
To gather from the air and dust 

The elements of life. 

In vain the soul would soar and sing, 

With pinions soiled and bound. 
Compelled to trail her airy wing 

All drooping on the ground. 

Life's lesson o'er, its labor done; 

Shall not the soul find rest. 
And taste the peace its Saviour won, 

And be forever blest? 



94 A CONTRAST. 

Where free and happy souls rejoice, 
May not this join the throng, 

And all these promptings find a voice 
In purer realms of song? 



A CONTRAST. 

A S the ripe golden fruit, to the blossoms of spring ; 
•*^^ As the blue serene sky, to the storm; 
As the heart that is pure, to the one that doth fling 

Its treasures on all alike warm ; 
As the sunlight that warms and adorns every thing, 
Compared with the down on a butterfly's wing; 

So the mind is, compared with the form. 




THE MOON. 95 



THE MOON. 

I ^AIR sister orb, attendant on the earth, 
-^ The tranquil fields of ether thou dost roam 
Are beautiful to gaze on, and give birth 
To holy longings for thy still, sweet home. 

I ever hail thy crescent with delight. 

As dropping gently down the western sky 

Thy pale, soft beams relieve the closing night, 
While yet the twilight lingers on the eye. 

And one by one the glowing stars appear, 
Lit up by some swift messenger at even. 

Till all form nature's splendid chandelier. 
Suspended in the azure dome of heaven. 

How oft, exulting in the glow of health, 
In open field, or in the orchard shade. 

Without a thought or care of fame or wealth. 
Beneath thy smiling beams in youth I played ! 



96 THE MOON. 

And often paused, with curious thought, to trace 
The features of *'the man" that people say- 
Inhabits thy fair realm, and from thy face 
Peeps out upon our world, so far away. 

If we may credit legends of thy powers, 

Caught from the old, in childhood, unawares, 

Thou, like the mortals in this world of ours. 
Art not content to mind thine own affairs : 

But, stooping down from thy celestial sphere, 
With favors fruitful, or with bitter ban. 

Thou dost excite alternate hope and fear, 
And govern oft the destiny of man. 

The farmer notes with care thy leaning horn, 
And marks thy varied changes, full and wane, 

As omens that may serve, at least, to warn, 
Ere he shall sow the seed or reap the plain. 

And watchful, too, the timid maiden lone. 

Steals out, with simple rite, beneath thy beams. 

Believing thou wilt make the future known, 

When, curtained, she resigns herself to dreams. 



THE MOON. 97 

The lawn, or leafy woodland, in thy light 

Is ever sacred as the haunt of love; 
And thither, lovers look on thee, and plight 

The vows recorded in the heavens above. 

And who has not some little fairy-tale, 
Some superstition, sign, or wild romance. 

Some love-dream, reason may in vain assail. 
Or cold philosophy refer to chance? 

Fair Luna, be thy power what it may. 
If any, more or less, on life or land. 

O'er Ocean's bosom thou dost hold full sway. 
And heave its ponderous tides with mighty hand. 

In vain, for me, may man thy face explore 

Through telescope that brings thy surface near. 

And say thou art a bleak and sterile shore. 
Devoid of life as well as atmosphere : 

My heart still clings to early fancies caught — 
Traditions science may in vain confound; 

Thy mystic power is still in secret wrought. 
Through all the phases in thy journey round. 
9 G 



98 O N T H E D E ATH OF A FRIEND. 



ON THE DEATH OF A FRIEND. 

f^ H ! who can tell the agony of feeling, 
^-^ As one by one the trembling heart-strings break, 
While conscious, Death the vital spark is stealing, 
And soon the eyes must close that ne'er will wake 1 

O'erwhelmed, oppressed, the dizzy brain is reeling. 
The eye's dim vision, fading fast away ; 

Alas ! beyond the human skill of healing, 
Affection's hand cannot thy pangs allay. 

Of no avail the stimulating potion — 

The blood receding from the hands and feet, 

The heaving chest betrays the last emotion. 
And every quivering pulse has ceased to beat. 

Adieu ! thy sun of life has set forever ; 

No more we'll meet thee on the shores of time; 
To give thee wings. Death came these cords to sever. 

That thou might'st soar into a happier clime. 



ON THEDEATH OF A FRIEND. 99 

While bending o'er thy corse, tears of affection 

The eyes of relatives profusely lave; 
And yielding to God's will in meek dejection, 

We give thy body to the silent grave. 

What though the tempests heave the mighty ocean, 
The winter's chilling snows hangs thick with gloom, 

The earthquake startles with its quivering motion. 
They break not the deep slumber of the tomb. 

To thee 'tis nothing, sleeping tranquil yonder 

Among the neighboring dead, who comes to mourn. 

Or what lone hour they may choose to wander. 
To drop a tear upon the mouldering urn. 

The mystic veil that closes o'er thy slumbers. 
And hides thee from us here, we may not move; 

The fleeting moments soon will tell our numbers. 
And then its dread realities we '11 prove. 



lOO A SACRED GIFT. 



A SACRED GIFT. 

T)E still: methinks I faintly caught the sound 

-■-^ Of rustling plumes. The air is gently stirred, 

And bears soft whispers on its balmy breath. 

See ! what are these bright things? They seem to pause, 

And hover o'er this spot. How beautiful! 

How wave they their soft wings and seem to rest 

Upon the bosom of the buoyant air! 

What could bring such ethereal beings down 

From their bright star-gemmed home to this bleak world 

Of sorrow, pain, and death ! 

They now draw near; 
And bending o'er that small and feeble form, 
Unfold, warm from the bosom of its God, 
A young immortal spirit, and enshrine 
It in this new -wrought form of human clay. 
'Tis done: and quickly of terrestrial things 
They take their leave, and to their own bright home 
In yonder sky ascend. 



THE SOUTHERN HARP. lOI 

Almighty Power, 
May thy best blessings, as the sunlight on 
The opening flower, rest upon its head; 
May this immortal spirit thou hast given, 
Dwell here in peace, then reascend to heaven! 



THE SOUTHERN HARP. 

T T ARK ! there is music on the southern air ; 
-■" -^ I catch the distant tones ; as soft and clear 
As notes of some sweet woodland songster fair, 
The cadence falls upon and charms my ear. 

It is not music common to us here ; 

There is a richness in its mellow tone, 
A spell that thrills, and charms, and draws me near, 

And bids me bend and worship at its throne. 

It may be that some cherub from above 
Has floated down upon her airy wings, 

And, leaning on her harp, with looks of love, 

Has thrown her fingers o'er its heaven -born strings. 
9* 



I02 THE SOUTHERN HARP. 

Sing on, thou soul of melody, sing on. 

Till we forget our sorrows and our wrongs ; 

And, gazing upward to thee, one by one. 

The world shall pause and listen to thy songs ! 

Teach us to *^love the beautiful," the true. 
The *' sunset cities," and the flush of day. 

Night's crown of stars, the earth empearled with dew, 
To cull the flowers that lie along life's way. 

Sweet spirit of the Muses, say whence come 
These strains of melody from golden strings ? 

*'The sunny land is now her earthly home — 
An angel lent her harp — 'tis Rosa sings." 




A VISION OF BEAUTY. IO3 



A VISION OF BEAUTY. 

'nr^OIL-WORN and weary on life's dusty way, 
-■- I sat me down beneath the tranquil shade 
Of evening's twilight hour; and, musing there 
Upon the hopes and fears that cross life's path- 
The disappointments that are ever thrust 
Like spears between us and our promised bliss — 
I fell asleep, and in my vision saw 
A spirit, formed in Nature's finest mould. 
Sweet were the loving eyes she bent on me. 
And soft the tender words that stirred my heart, 
As she reached forth her hand, and bid me rise, 
And onward toil upon life's weary way: 
"Beyond are fairer scenes, and lovelier lands. 
And softer skies, and vernal -blooming vales; 
And thou shalt reach them if thou falterest not." 

But ah! I said, I cannot go — I thirst; 
There is no fountain on this arid plain 
To cool my lips, and bathe my fevered brow. 



i04 A VISION OF BEAUTY. 

Compassion kindled in her lustrous eyes, 
As thus, like tranquil stars, they shed their light 
Down in my soul, and lit a wild new hope. 

"It is not far," she said: "though other spheres 
Demand my presence, and my coming wait, 
I will go with thee, for I well do know 
The toil of mortals o'er these rugged ste,eps." 

And hand in hand we went: and soon the clouds 
That draped the landscape in their sober folds. 
Fell off to fleecy lightness, and unveiled 
A rural scene of most transcendent beauty. 
How doth the soul, alive to nature's charms. 
Drink, in a rapturous moment, food for years! 
The stars looked down and smiled; the zephyr's breath 
With balmy fragrance fanned my glowing brow. 
And roses, like a blooming maiden's cheek. 
Invited dalliance with their dewy charms. 
A little lake, with mossy margin, slept 
Deep in the shadows of this lovely vale, 
And there I drank, and slaked my burning thirst; 
And sported on its peaceful shore, and bathed 
In its bright waters, till my soul o'erflowed 



A VISION OF BEAUTY. * I05 

With love and gratitude to Him who gave 

My being life, and mind, and motion. Wild 

With joy, I wandered o'er the dewy hills. 

And kissed the flowers that their summits crowned, 

Till, wearied with my joy, I sought repose 

Upon the bosom of the earth, to take 

A calm survey of this enchanting land 

But my fair spirit -guide, with gentle voice, 

Addressed me thus : 

''You must not linger long 
Within these bowers of bliss. You must away 
To wrestle with the rude and rugged world ; 
And when you weary, I will come again 
To weave new visions round your dreamy couch." 




I06 DAY-DREAMS. 



DAY-DREAMS. 

"IV yr Y heart is often gloomy, sad, and lone, 

•*-'-*- And darkening shades come floating o'er my 

sight, 
Like summer's evening mantle gently thrown 
O'er day reclining in the arms of night. 

And thus in pensive mood I seek the lea. 

And yield to Fancy's wild and wayward reign ; 

And soon her images are like a sea 

Of sunbeams, quivering o'er the distant plain. 

But most on rural scenes it loves to dwell ; — 
The leafy wood -land cottage, and the plain, 

The flower-garden, and the fountain's swell. 
The blossomed clover, and the waving grain. 

These scenes bring back to memory boyhood's day. 
Whose sunny spots have furnished many a theme 

For poet's song, but having passed away, 
Seem only like the fragments of a dream. 



DAY-DREAMS. lO/ 

But life itself is but a dreamy maze : 

Its happy moments come unsought; and on 

Our "air-built castles " while with joy we gaze, 

One brush from old Time's wing, and they are gone. 

A.nd day by day we plod upon the earth 
To learn the lesson o'er and o'er again, 

That each gay hour or tasted sweet gives birth 
To some accompanying source of care or pain. 

And then how melancholy is the thought 
That life's short span is lessening every day, 

And I no line have carved, no offering brought 
For memory's shrine, and soon must pass away ! 

O, Hope ! thou art but a delusive light ! 

Thy promises to me are seldom met ; 
Yet give me still thy solace day and night, 

Until this lingering sun of mine shall set. 

Then may my longing spirit soar on high, 

Like a freed bird, upon its wing afar, 
To those bright orbs that kindle in the sky ; 

Or onward keep and leap from star to star. 



I08 THE HUMAN HARP. 



THE HUMAN HARP. 

'' I ^HERE is a harp in each human breast, 
-*- The strings of which are never at rest j 
Where music forever breathes and lingers, 
Awaked by thousands of viewless fingers. 
That play, like the hum of fairy wings. 
Their notes on its thousand quivering strings. 

This heaven-born harp is a priceless boon, 

In its mortal frame, with its strings in tune; 

But, whether the tones of this living harp 

Are gentle and tender, flat or sharp. 

When louder rung, depends always 

On the ear that hears, and the hand that plays. 

How touchingly tender is its moan. 

As it gives to sorrow its monotone ! 

When touched by the palsied hand of fear. 

It vibrates quick on the startled ear ; 

And its strong-wrought frame in frenzy leaps. 

While passion its diapason sweeps. 



THE HUMAN HARP. IO9 

But happier spirits are hovering near, 

And the music they play we love to hear ; 

They throng each harp with the grave and gay, 

And many a note I've heard them play — 

So often, too, are they playing the same, 

That we know their touch, and call them by name. 

There is Love, who comes on his fluttering wing. 
And how it thrills when he touches the string ! 
Fame thinks he is heard all over the land 
As he strikes the cords with a master hand : 
But to Faith and Hope is the mission given, 
To touch the notes that are heard in heaven. 

They linger still, when the rest have gone 

And left the frail harp broken and lone ; 

And, when Death plays the last sad strain. 

And breaks the cords he shall ne'er touch again, 

They bear it away, with joyous wing, 

And string it anew, where the angels sing. 



16 



no TO THOMAS BUCHANAN READ. 



TO THOMAS BUCHANAN READ. 

' I ^HE pitcher is full and the glass is free; 
-*- Here's a health, Tom Read, here's a health 
to thee; 
The Monongahela and lemon unite, 
And the fragrant vapors the taste invite; 
While the curling clouds that around it lower 
Are breaking forth in a generous shower; 
To thee, Tom Read, far over the sea, 
With a hearty will, here's a health to thee. 

No truer poet was ever born 

From the Arctic Circle to Capricorn; 

On the Keystone bearing the glorious arch 

Is inscribed thy name; and the westward march 

Of the *'sun" of empire Berkeley told, 

As it shines on the letters, gilds them with gold ; 

And those who would pass to poetic day, 

Must read Read over the entrance way. 



TO THOMAS BUCHANAN READ. Ill 

Thy song is as pure as the starry sphere, 
Or a rose-leaf bathed in a May -morn's tear, 
And it sings itself, as a harp will sing 
When the air breathes over its tremulous string; 
It twines round the heart like a tendril of love. 
And brings its green leaf as the messenger dove: 
It shall live while the earth on its poles rolls round, 
And a soul responsive to song is found. 

The pitcher is drained to the reeking lees; 
The glass holds less in its call to please; 
My song, too, draws to the ending line, 
And my couch invites for the night to recline; 
But my heart is warm, and my pulse beats free, 
As my swift -winged thoughts commune with thee; 
With the first and the last I give the meed, 
And a hearty health to thee, Tom Read. 




112 THE VOYAGE OF LIFE. 



THE VOYAGE OF LIFE. 

T IFE'S a constant, ebbless stream, 
-■ — ' Rising at the Eternal's Throne, 
Flowing out with fitful gleam, 
Onward to the dim unknown. 

I am drifting on the tide — 

Oars and rudder are in vain; 
Whither shall my frail bark glide 

When it floats out on the main! 

Backward now I turn and gaze — 
Though the time seems not remote — 

Where, through mist and dream -like haze, 
I first found myself afloat. 

Merrily the rippling rill 

Bore me on its devious way, 
Deepening as it left the hill, 

Flashing into broader day. 



THE VOYAGE OF LIFE. II3 

Here an eddy, there a bar, 

Now a rock, and then a fall, 
Dashing on with many a jar, 

Safely swept on over all. 

Manhood's realm, I longed to greet, 

Lay in dreamy visions near ; 
Syren voices, soft and sweet. 

Held entranced the listening ear. 

O, how charming grew the scene, 

As I gazed upon the shore. 
Flushed with beauty ripe, serene. 

Unto which my proud bark bore ! 

There the bird sang on the spray, 

And the bee his droning song; 
Flowers invited to delay — 

Time enough, the way is long. 

And I must not madly float 

By each scene so very fair; 
I will moor my drifting boat, 

And drink in the sweetness there. 
10* n 



114 THE VOYAGE OF LIFE. 

Swept resistlessly along — . 

Oars and rudder were in vain — 
In the deepening current strong, 

Drifting onward to the main. 

Then a bark beside mine came, 
And we lashed them side by side ; 

Said our course should be the same, 
Hands to row and hands to guide. 

Now I plied the yielding oar, 
Heading for the land so blest. 

Looming on the golden shore, 
Full of joy, love, peace and rest. 

Tiny arks as ours had been 

With their freights our pathway crossed, 
One by one we took them in — 

Eight we have, and three we lost. 

Precious freight, a happy crew — 
Soon their hands may give a lift; 

Were it not to help them through, 
I would drop the oars and drift. 



THE VOYAGE OF LIFE. .II5 

Phantom shores, mirage - like, rise 

Ever on my vision's scope, 
Leaning softly on the skies, 

Cheat me with delusive hope. 

So I bend me to the oar, 

Though the land is not in view; 

Shall I strive forever more, 

And no hope my strength renew? 

None to lend a helping hand, 

None to throw a line to me. 
Heading ever to the land. 

Drifting ever toward the sea. 

Spite of effort, strength and will, 
Not one cherished hope is won; 

Spite of energy and skill. 

Winds and waves have swept me on. 

Drifting farther from the shore, 
Dimmer looms the headland light. 

Duller sounds the breaker's roar. 
Lengthening shadows herald night. 



Il6 THE VOYAGE OF LIFE. 

Turbid often seems the flood, 
Bitter often seems the draught; 

Who can change it, if he would? 
Good or bad it must be quaffed. 

Weltering wrecks lie all around, 
Sailing once so proud and trim; 

Heedless now wherever bound, 
Careless if they sink or swim. 

Some were wrecked on pleasure's strand; 

Some ran high upon a bar; 
Some, o'erfreighted, failed to land; 

Some saw not the Polar Star. 

Many carrying too much sail, 
Many with no ballast freight, 

Toppled over in the gale. 
Yielding to their certain fate. 

Others ran each other down 
In their struggle for the van. 

Madly striving for renown. 

Though it were the curse of man. 



THE VOYAGE OF LIFE. Il/ 

Still the current nothing checks, 
None its waves can stem or stay; 

Stately barks and rolling wrecks 
On the tide are borne away. 

Are there shores across this deep, 

Regions that are calm and fair. 
Where no eye shall ever weep, 

And no heart break with despair? 

Drifting to the dim unknown. 

Not one ray unveils the shore; 
Oh ! how dark, and drear, and lone, 

Seems the sea that lies before! 

I am drifting on the tide — 

Oars and rudder are in vain; 
Whither shall my frail bark glide 

When it floats out on the main! 

Though in gloom I shuddering stand. 

Though I fail and falter here. 
Father, I am in thy hand! 

Thou wilt guide me to my sphere! 



Il8 MIDSUMMER NOON. 



I 



MIDSUMMER NOON. 

T is midsummer; and the maiden earth 
Is flushed with charms. 



All languidly I dream 
Away the long and tranquil day among 
Her ripening harvests, and her fruits and flowers. 
How calm and beautiful the deep repose! 
It seems as though the earth had paused 
To take her nap at noon. 

The sun pours down 
In floods of dazzling light, his burning rays 
That quiver o'er her warm and teeming breast, 
While passion stirs her maiden bosom. 

Calm 
Above, and still below! A few white clouds, 
Like guardian spirits, float serene along, 
And fleck the azure heaven! 



MIDSUMMER NOON. 1 19 

Deep in the shade 
I love to lie and hear the locust chant 
His rattling song; and watch the toiling bee, 
As singing on he goes from bloom to bloom. 
The butterfly on light and gaudy wing 
Coquettes among the flowers. In the field 
The grasshopper a grating song pours forth, 
And venturous climbs the tall and waving grass. 
Or leaps and flies along the dusty road. 
The cricket chirps beneath his leafy shade. 
And swarms of life that fill the upper air 
Pour forth their tiny songs, which blending fall. 
In one unceasing .hum, upon the ear. 
And lull the senses to a blissful dream. 




I20 TO ARMS. 



TO ARMS! 

'nr^HE Book is open: he who writes 

-■- His name, in deeds, upon its page, 
His immortality indites, 

To live enshrined from age to age. 

What though the writing be with blood 
On every letter, point, and pause. 

By mortal man, on field or flood, 
It ne'er was shed in holier cause. 

The record being written now. 

May bear your name, or it may not; 

But there, its guardian will allow 
No vandal hand the page to blot. 

It shall be conned all coming time, 
In many a lesson by the young, 

Be set in groups by Arts sublime. 
In poet's thrilling numbers sung. 



THE THEFT OF THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 121 

The statesman, orator, and sage 

Shall draw from it their classic lore; 

The pulpit, rostrum, and the stage 
Rehearse its stories o'er and o'er. 

Go forth, then, boldly to the strife — 
It is your bleeding country's call; 

Give her your arm, perchance your life. 
And freemen live, or heroes fall. 



THE THEFT OF THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 

A LEGEND OF THE ORKNEYS. 

'TT^HE golden eagles make their nests 

-*- On Orkney Island's lofty peaks. 
And, looking from their barren crests. 
Each piercing eye its victim seeks. 

Far down upon the plain, one day - 

The villagers had gone afield, 
To gather in the summer hay, 

Kind Nature's bounteous hand might yield. 



122 THE THEFT OF THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 

Strong men and maidens laughed and wrought. 

And children by the aged led; 
Her little babe the mother brought, 

And laid it on a fragrant bed. 

The sun his zenith point had made; 

The weary ones began to feel 
'Twas time to seek the grateful shade, 

To rest, and eat their noontide meal. 

While thus the happy group around 

In quiet rest or slumber lay, 
An eagle from its crag swooped down. 

And bore the sleeping child away. 

One piercing shriek the mother gave, 
And all stood horror-struck and dumb, 

And watched the pirate's strong wings wave, 
And bear it to his rock -bound home. 

All rushing to the mountain's base 

With consternation and affright. 
Stood stupefied with upturned face. 

But none dare tempt the dizzy height. 



THE THEFT OF THE GOLDEN EAGLE. I23 

An instant, and the mother sprang, 

Like the fierce tiger for its prey. 
From rock to rock, that seemed to hang. 

And bid defiance to her way. 

Onward her dangerous way she keeps. 
While those below oft held their breath. 

Expecting, as each crag she leaps. 
To see her dashed to instant death. 

The summit gained, the fierce birds fly 

Affrighted from the rocky nest ; 
She seized her child — she heard it cry! 

''It lives!" — she clasped it to her breast. 

And with a mother's careful art. 

And woman's instincts true and warm, 

Securely to her throbbing heart. 

In nervous haste, she bound its form. 

Then down the rough and pathless steep. 
To gain the plain her cotirse she bent; 

She could not walk, scarce dared to creep, 
So perilous was the descent. 



124 MUSINGS. 

But Heaven, approving, sent her aid: 
The mountain goat a pathway found, 

And following, she gained the glade. 

Where friends, rejoicing, thronged around. 



MUSINGS. 

T T cannot be that this is all, 
-■- To wake to life, to toil and pain, 
To live a little while, then fall. 
And sink to nothingness again. 

For though fame's wreath the brow did clasp. 
And beauty charmed the sensual eye, 

And earth's rich mines were in the grasp, 
They all would fail to satisfy. 

There is a longing undefined 

For what this world can never give; 

A restless impulse in the mind, 

Which haunts this being while we live. 



MUSINGS. 125 

We search the dusty page of lore 
With throbbing brain and weary eye ; 

The earth, sun, moon, and stars explore, 
And learn one truth — that we must die. 

And is this all — the chainless mind — 
Shall it, with this frail mould of clay, 

Be in the narrow grave confined. 
And with it moulder and decay? 

O, painful thought! — it cannot be; 

There is a home beyond the tomb. 
Where soar the blissful spirits free — 

An Eden of eternal bloom. 




126 THERE IS A GOD. 



THERE IS A GOD. 

The fool hath said in his heart. There is no God. — PsALM xiv. I. 

T S there no God ? Who can look on the earth, 
-*• And view the varied beauty and the bloom 
■That linger still, with Eden loveliness. 
Upon the mountain -top and on the plain. 
And say, ^^ There is no God 2'^ 

Oh! sad, indeed, 
Must be the lot of him who shuts his soul 
Within its feeble tenement of clay. 
Content to die, and sleep an endless sleep! 
Is there no flower, with its radiant hues 
And balmy incense, sweet enough to woo 
Him from his false repose? Is there no song 
Of melody within the shady grove? — 
No tone persuasive in the murmuring brook?- • 
No whisperings in the cool and playful breeze 
Which he can understand? Is there no voice 
To startle his dull ear amidst the storm, 



THEREISAGOD. 12/ 

When earth beneath the rolling thunder trembles? 

Look on this globe — hung out, as are yon stars, 

In the unfathomable depths of space — 

With all its mountains, oceans, brooks, and plains, 

Teeming with life in all its varied forms: 

Is this the work of chance? Did atom find 

Its fellow atom in the rayless void. 

And form this world? Or did Omnipotence 

Grasp in His hand the dark chaotic mass, 

And mould it in His quickening palm, and give 

It laws, and light, and motion? 

Ask the Sea, 
Who gave it bounds — do not the waves curl up 
Their crests, and, breaking into whitening foam, 
Proclaim Jehovah? Stand upon its shore. 
And gaze upon its majesty sublime. 
And hear the deep -toned music of its voice, 
And watch the strong pulsations of its breast. 
Forever heaving with the strength of youth, 
Unwearied, restless, and untouched by time. 
And know that in its bosom, far below. 
Are sporting countless forms of joyous life 
Within their ocean caves! 



128 THERE IS A GOD. 

Look on the Land, 
Strewn with the ever -varying forms of plants, 
Unfolding their green leaves and painted flowers. 
Exhaling odors of as many scents 
As there are different tints upon their blooms. 
The Animal Creation also view, 
From the huge mammoth to the light gazelle; 
The insect tribes — and birds with painted plumes; 
All guided by an instinct true to life, 
And fitted for their own respective spheres. 
Who can survey these wonders, and not see 
The wisdom and the power of God displayed? 
But still, mysterious as these things may be, 
The mystery of mysteries is man. 
Behold him as he walks forth in his pride! 
How dignified and noble is his mien! 
With what an air of self-sufficiency 
He walks the earth — and yet how mean a slave! 
A slave! Oh, how he spurns the name, yet yields, 
Without a struggle, to the tyranny 
Of his own passions, appetites, and lusts ! 
What mighty powers he exerts of mind ! 
And, careless of the toil, he counts as well 
The small vibrations of an insect's wing, 



THEREISAGOD. 1 29 

As revolutions of a ponderous world. 

Pursues the comet in its wild career 

Through trackless fields and boundless depths of space, 

And marks the time of its return again, 

For centuries to come. The stars, those gems 

That glitter in the Almighty Ruler's crown, 

He numbers, classifies, and weighs, and names. 

Plays with the lightning, as a pleasing toy, 

And makes the elements subserve his will. 

The marble, at his touch, starts into forms 

Of grace and beauty; and the canvas bears 

The almost breathing forms of his sublime 

Creative skill. His fancy knows no bounds: 

It moves upon the mighty deep of mind. 

As God's own spirit moved upon the waste 

Of lifeless waters. What are these vast powers 

Which he exerts, but emanations from 

The Eternal Mind ! And yet they are but wrecks 

Of former greatness, floating still upon 

The stream of human life. 

How little does 
He know of all the mysteries profound 
With which he is surrounded ! Tell us why 

I 



130 THEREISAGOD. 

The leaf is green, the blossom red or white : 
Why does the rose exhale a sweet perfume? 
Where is the spring that gives impulse to life? 
Why do we live at all? Is the lone grave, 
With its still, cold, dreamless repose, enough 
For all the toil, the sorrow, and the pain 
Endured through life? Must innocence sink down 
Beneath oppression, cruelty, and wrong. 
And fade away, and die, without redress ? 
While daring crime stalks fearlessly abroad, 
And revels in its fatness, and exults, 
In pompous pride or fiendish malice, o'er 
Its fallen victims. 

Ah ! there is a God. 
And unto Him at last must man return 
From his benighted wanderings from the truth, 
And like a child, ask wisdom at His feet. 
'Tis there alone that wisdom can be found. 
And there, the mystery of his being, learned. 
There may his dull perceptions catch a glimpse 
Of what is lost, and what may be regained. 
There may he learn the lesson how to live, 
And, knowledge worth possessing, how to die. 



THOUGHTS ON DEATH. I3I 



THOUGHTS ON DEATH. 

T^IS but a little thing to die, 

-*- To fall asleep in death, 
To close on earth the weary eye. 
And loose the faltering breath. 

We daily suffer more than this 
In anxious thought and pain — 

In what we have, and what we miss, 
In loss, or want of gain. 

'Tis not to part with life, we fear; 

That easily were borne ; 
It is from ties we hold more dear, 

The heart-strings must be torn. 

To leave the prattlers at our knee. 
The wife, the friends we love; 

All we are now, or hope to be, 
Should life a blessing prove : 



132 THOUGHTS ON DEATH. 

'Tis these that make us cling to life, 

With all its toil and pain; 
That gird us up to meet the strife — 

Renew our strength again. 

I cannot bear the thought, to leave 

These cherished ones alone 
To meet the world, and strive and grieve 

As I do, and have done. 

Spare us, O Father, let us stay, 
While these strong ties entwine; 

That I may smooth their rugged way. 
And they, in turn, cheer mine ! 




MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. I33 



MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 

TT TTIAT matter where our dust is laid! — 

^ ^ The funeral pomp and show are vain; 
The proudest monument must fade, 

And crumble back to dust again. 
The dead must soon forgotten lie; 

The mourners be themselves the mourned; 
And strangers soon will hurry by, 

Nor care whose dust is here inurned. 

The myriad millions gone before, 

Who lived and died and are forgot. 
Have left for record little more 

Than that they were, and now, are not. 
To mark the spot where sleep the dead. 

Each spear of grass a tomb -stone springs; 
The very dust on which we tread 

May once have been a slave's or king's: 

'Tis all the same. — Earth claims her own; 
The form she lent the spirit here, 



1 34 MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 

To draw nutrition from her zone, 

Is wanted in another sphere : 
Perchance to deck the floral band, 

Or give the soil more strength when tilled, 
Or be of some use on the land; — 

A task, in life, it scarce fulfilled. 

The dead then leave to mother earth, 

While living millions ever long 
For light to guide their spirits' birth. 

To see the right, and shun the wrong. 
Oh! take them gently by the hand, 
• Love them, and teach their souls to love, 
That they may join the blissful band. 
Forever in the courts above. 

Trust not a stone to bear thy name: 

The fame is lost which it imparts : 
Who for his dust a tear would claim. 

Must write his name on living hearts. 
And they will bear it on to fame — 

Its sound shall make their pulses thrill. 
When, heeding neither praise nor blame. 

Who bore it slumbers cold and still. 



LEONA. 135 



LEONA. 

T EON A — the name gives my muse inspiration, 
■* — ' And I yield not reluctantly to its soft spell, 
For it comes o'er my soul with its dreamy creation, 
And offers in numbers a few thoughts to tell. 

As my mind traces over, with swift retrospection. 
The years that have passed since we first breathed the 
vow, 

It dwells with delight on the pleasing reflection. 

That discord and strife have ne'er darkened the brow. 

'Tis true that adversity's clouds have hung o'er us. 
And threatened awhile the dim future to blight; 

But they have passed off, still leaving before us, 
Our sky quite as clear, and our prospect as bright. 

As a traveller wearied ascends some tall mountain, 
Scarcely knowing the pathway his feet should pursue, 

Finds on its bleak summit a pure gushing fountain, 
And a lovelier prospect spread out to his view ; 



136 LEON A. 

Or, as the lone sailor, the storm's wild commotion 
Has bewildered and driven away from the strand. 

Hails the star that will guide him safe over the ocean, 
And restore him again to his dear native land j 

So we, too, have hailed each bright glowing vision, 
As it dawned on our eyes, and its fulness revealed ; 

And found the view rendered still far more elysian, 
By the fears which it brought while it still lay con- 
cealed. 

The brow by the cares of this world has been clouded. 
And the heart in its sadness may have given pain. 

But yon sun, too, has often his brightness all shrouded, 
Yet does he not shine forth as brightly again? 

As the eagle, upon his strong pinions reposing, 

Eyes awhile the dark storm-cloud that broods o'er 
his nest, 

Then dashes up through the dark vapor, disclosing 
The bright, beaming sun shining full on his breast, 

So we (though indeed very much out of fashion) 
Have gazed on the storm that was gathering awhile, 



THE ALTAR. I37 

Then rising above it, the dark brow of passion 
Has yielded its frown to the calm, placid smile. 

Though the past has been bright, and the cup we have 
tasted 

Has had but few bitter draughts quaffed from its cell, 
Yet still we may find that some sweets have been wasted, 

Which might have been gathered, and tasted, as well. 



THE ALTAR. 

T T is a deeply solemn thing — 
-*" The union of two youthful hearts ! 
Like waters mingling, each doth bring 

The feelings which its source imparts : 
And thus commingled, down the stream 

Of life, the currents gently wend, 
In union sweet, if love's pure beam 
Shall cause the currents still to blend. 

Yet storms will come, and floods will rise ; 
But they will pass, and leave at rest 
12* 



138 THE ALTAR. 

The troubled waves, and lowery skies 
Will brighten up, and all be blest. 

Perfection is not of this earth; 
Its home is in yon regions far; 

Nor should the hope of it give birth 
To aught that here our joys might mar. 

Life is not all a pleasing scene; 

It hath its sunshine and its shade; 
But much of both, while here, I ween, 

By our own hands alone is made. 
What though the storms of life may start. 

And threaten us with dark despair ; 
If there is sunshine in the heart, 

The bow of promise will be there. 



MUSINGS ON LIFE. I39 



MUSINGS ON LIFE. 

SIX thousand years have passed away, 
Since Time first spread his youthful pinion, 
With restless motion to survey 

The wide extent of his dominion. 
And he has kept his onward flight, 

And left the mighty wrecks behind. 
Of nations, proud of skill and might. 

In dimness and in death enshrined. 
As thus the mighty past we scan, 
How short appears the life of man! 
Since Eden's bowers were denied, 
What throngs of men have lived and died! 
The earth is one vast grave, which groans 
With teeming life 'midst human bones. 
In all, the glowing thrill of life, 
Brought hope, and joy, and pain, and strife ; 
Ambition's lofty kindling flame. 

Intensely burning after glory; 
But, oh ! how few have left a/ name 

When they were gone, to tell their story. 



I40 MUSINGS ON LIFE. 

And gaze now on the varied forms 

Of busy life that press around j 
And know what hope each bosom warms, 

What secret wish waits to be crowned. 
And see men labor and contend, 
To gain some trifling selfish end. 
^ Then turn from this degenerate race, 
To yon blue depths of boundless space, 
Where suns and systems their vast rounds 
Perform within their stated bounds, 
And know who guides this mighty plan, 
And feel how small a thing is man: 
Who is, as waves upon the ocean. 

Lashed by the storm-king's angry hand, 
Tossed to and fro in wild commotion. 

And lost as they upon the strand. 
Death sets his signet at each birth. 

In glaring letters on each brow; 
And Time will shortly sweep from earth 

The throng of life that crowds it now. 
I asked the mighty past how long 
A lease it gave this living throng? 
From ocean, mountain, grave, and glen. 
The answer came, '^.Threescore and ten." 



MUSINGS ON LIFE. I4I 

And is this all? shall man, proud man, 
Be narrowed down to this brief span ? 
This little round of fleeting years. 
O'er which are scattered smiles and tears? 
*Tis even so — and day by day 

The feebler pulse tells off its numbers, 
And soon must cease its busy play. 

Locked in death's cold and lonely slumbers. 
Yet man toils on as though his lease 

Of life were endless, and his gain 
Would bring his troubled bosom peace. 

And shield his trembling form from pain. 
Mistaken man ! how vain the toil 
Which seeks to hoard up glittering spoil! 
Or seeks to twine around a name, 
The unavailing wreath of fame ! 
Wealth is but dust, a crown, a toy, 
Which few attain, and none enjoy. 
All things of earth soon cease to please ; 
What madness then to live for these ! 
There is a better world than this. 

To those who seek it freely given; 
A home of never-ending bliss, 

With all the happy throng in heaven. 



142 MUSINGS ON LIFE. 

Where Time no more will bring his change, 

Nor Death his iron sceptre wield, 
Where happy spirits free may range, 

Forever o'er creation's field. 
To gain that bright and blissful sphere, 
Is surely worth the toil while here. 
When life's dim lamp shall feebly burn, 
And earth shall open wide her urn, 
What else but hope can cheer the gloom 
Which hangs around the lonely tomb? 
And when this little life shall end. 
And dust with kindred dust shall blend, 
The good of earth will sink to rest, 

And trust their spirits to God's keeping, 
As infancy upon the breast 

Of its fond mother calmly sleeping. 
Then clothed in robes of spotless white. 

The Spirit, freed from this dull clay. 
Will plume its wings and take its flight. 

As thought now leaps from earth away. 



THE SKEPTIC AND THE BELIEVER. I43 



THE SKEPTIC AND THE BELIEVER. 

T F it were chance that brought us here, 
-■- We still would ask, where shall we go? 
What is there more to dread or fear, 

Than power that deals a random blow? 
The life we feel we now possess, 

Come whence it may, is wondrous strange ; 
Nor is the marvel any less. 

Because no being ruled the change. 

If thrown by chance upon the stage, 

To dodge the missiles it hath hurled, 
An hour, a day, a year, an age. 

But forced at last to quit this world, 
What marvel, if a life remain. 

Though even to such Power we bow; 
What has been once, may be again ; 

The wonder is, that we live now. 

All that is marvellous here, ends; 
The bound impossible is passed ; 



144 THE SKEPTIC AND THE BELIEVER. 

The life we have; itself transcends 

All wonder, it may ever last. 
What though we know not how or where 

Its future being may unfold ; 
The power that gave, again may spare 

The life and room that we now hold. 

Thus we the doubting* skeptic save. 

And by his rule, his life reclaim, 
Unless he shun the open grave. 

And leave existence as he came. 
But no, 'twas God that placed us here. 

The Great, the Good, the Wise, the Just, 
Trust him, and we need never fear. 

Though these frail bodies fall to dust. 

The cords that lead the lightning's wing, 

Worn out, may break, and useless lie, 
But it will still its message bring. 

And speak in thunders from the sky. 
So shall the spirit ever be; 

When these dull cords that bind are riven, 
'Twill float up on its pinions free. 

To taste the purer bliss of heaven. 



A child's prayer. 145 



A CHILD'S PRAYER. 

A LMIGHTY Father, Holy One ! 
•^^- Who dost for all thy children care ; 
I bend before Thy holy throne, 

And offer up my feeble prayer. 

*Tis evening's calm and peaceful hour; 

Soon care will be by sleep beguiled j 
While on my bed, Almighty Power ! 

From harm still guard thy erring child, 

I thank Thee, now, with grateful heart. 
For all the blessings Thou dost send; 

Assist me. Lord, to do my part, 
And all my evil ways amend. 

Forgive me. Father, O forgive. 

The wrongs I've done throughout the day; 
Be Thou my guide while here I live, 

Nor let me from thy presence stray ! 
13 K 



146 THE spirit's wing. 

And when life's pilgrimage is o'er, 
Take back the spirit Thou hast given, 

To dwell upon that happy shore, 
Forever with the bless' d in heaven. 



THE SPIRIT'S WING. 

"IV /r Y mother Earth, I gaze around 
■^^ ■'- Upon the beauty of thy face, 
And see thee by the seasons crowned. 

As if to vie with each in grace. 
And feel, thou art a goodly land. 
And thy proportions, vast and grand. 

With gentle hill, and fertile plain; 

Sweet perfume -breathing southern gale; 
Majestic mountain, rolling main; 

With flowery mead, and blooming vale: 
Though sin hath blighted, from thy birth, 
Thou still art beautiful, O Earth. 

But, gazing on the starry sky 

No more thy charms I may rehearse ; 



THE SPIRITS WING. I47 

Thou art, 'mid shining orbs on high, 

An atom in the universe; 
Upon creation's map a dot. 
That scarce were missed, if it were not. 

Leverrier's mighty sweep we leave, 

And in the vast expanse behold. 
In distance we cannot conceive. 

Worlds heaped on worlds their charms unfold, 
Whose blended light, in one broad ray, 
Streams down, and forms the milky way. 

And far beyond the utmost bound 

To telescopic vision given, 
Float, doubtless, worlds through space profound, 

In clustering beauty's boundless heaven: 
Where fancy, touched by mortal sin. 
In wildest flight hath never been. 

How reels the dizzy brain with thought 
Whose amplitude may well o'erwhelm. 

As, pressing on, the mind finds nought 
But an expanding, boundless realm, 

Whose endless depth is the abode 

Of its Almighty Ruler, God ! 



148 THE THUNDER-STORM. 

But contemplations such as these 
Are unfledged pinions of the soul ; 

Whose wings, ere long, shall soar with ease- 
If faith, and hope, the life control — 

To those bright realms of fadeless youth — 

The blissful home of love and truth. 



THE THUNDER-STORM, 

'np^HE storm-clouds sweep 
-*- Through the azure deep 
Like ships of war on the main ; 

And the roar and the rattle 

Of the upper battle 
Are fiercer than that on the plain. 

In front like a scout 

The scud flies out, 
While the heavier mass moves slow, 

Its flanks enlarging 

As it is charging 
Its calm elemental foe. 



THE THUNDER-STORM. I49 

The centre is strong, 

And the wings are long ; 
They bend down the vaulted arch; 

And the lightnings flash, 

And the thunders crash. 
As it moves on the line of its march. 

Now bending low 

Like an archer's bow, 
The shaft gleams forth with a bound ; 

And the bolts from its quiver 

The strong oaks shiver, 
And scatter the fragments round. 

To the left and the right 

In its fury and might, 
On the earth and the air by turns, 

It pours the ire 

From its heart of fire, 
Till the firmament glows and burns. 

How puny the boast 
Of the serried host, 

13^ 



150 THE THUNDER-STORM. 

In its pride and pomp arrayed, 
Compared with the length, 
And the terrible strength. 

By the thunder - storm displayed ! 

With its banner unfurled 

O'er the trembling world, 
It sweeps o'er the earth with its fan;* 

And the wrath that it flings 

From its rushing wings 
Is a blessing from Heaven to man. 

* Matthew iii. 12. 




LET MY HOME BE A COTTAGE. I51 



LET MY HOME BE A COTTAGE. 

/"^ IVE me the fresh, free breath of heaven, 
, ^^^ Water pure from the purling stream, 
Bread that congenial toil has given. 
Sleep too deep and secure to dream ! 

Let my home be a cottage lowly. 
Standing where it is scarcely seen, 

Deep in the vale, where a brook winds slowly, 
Down at the foot of the sloping green. 

With old sentinel willows keeping 

Watch by its door, where a fountain falls ; 

Flowers around, and vines all creeping 
Over its gray and mossy walls. 

Where the trees, with their boughs o'erbending, 
Sing to the ear a soothing strain; 

And broad fields, around me extending, 
Wave their billowy golden grain. 



152 LET MY HOME BE A COTTAGE. 

Where sweet blossoms are hanging over 
Rustic shrines, for repose and ease ; 

And where the blooming field of clover 
Yields its sweets to the bee and breeze. 

Where the eye, o'er the landscape gazing, 
Rests with delight on mead and dell. 

Dotted over with groups of grazing 
Flocks that herd to the tinkling bell. 

Far away from the bustling city, 

Filled with its weight of wealth and woe, 

Where neither pride, neglect, nor pity, 

Drives back the life -stream's healthful flow. 

Where the weary, oppressed, and. grieving, 
• Bending under misfortune's darts. 
Bless the shelter, and feel when leaving 
Heavier hands and lighter hearts. 

There, with the friends I love around me, 
Drawing closer affection's tie — 

Ties that alone to earth have bound me — 
Let me peacefully live and die. 



BY-AND-BY. I53 



BY-AND-BY. 

THERE is an angel ever near, 
When toil and trouble vex and try, 
That bids our fainting hearts take cheer. 
And whispers to us — '* By -and -by." 

We hear it at our mother's knee; 

With tender smile and love -lit eye. 
She grants some boon on childish plea, 

In these soft accents — '* By -and -by." 

What visions crowd the youthful breast — • 

What holy aspirations high 
Nerve the young heart to do its best. 

And wait the promise — "By -and -by." 

The maiden sitting sad and lone, 

Her thoughts half uttered with a sigh, 

Nurses the grief she will not own. 

And dreams bright dreams of — ''By-and-by.'* 



154 BY-AND-BY. 

The pale young wife dries up her tears, 
And stills her restless infant's cry, 

To catch the coming step, but hears, 
How sadly whispered — '^ By -and -by." 

And manhood with his strength and will, 
To breast life's ills and fate defy, 

Though fame and fortune be his, still 
Has plans that lie in — "By -and -by." 

The destitute, whose scanty fare 
The weary task can scarce supply, 

Cheat the grim visage of Despair 

With Hope's fair promise — '^ By -and -by." 

The millions whom oppression wrongs 
Send up to Heaven their wailing cry, 

And, writhing in the tyrant's thongs. 

Still hope for freedom — "By -and -by." 

Thus ever o'er life's rugged way. 
This angel, bending from the sky. 

Beguiles our sorrows, day by day, 

With her sweet whisperings — "By -and -by." 



LELI A, 



IN THREE PARTS. 



PART I. 



155 




LELIA. 



PART I. 



'' I ^HE stars are out in heaven! How the soul 
-■- Expands while gazing on their silver light! 
I've watched them, looking from their silent home 
In quiet loveliness, until I felt 
That I could almost break the quivering chain 
That holds me to this dull and blighted orb, 
And soar away, as fancy on her wing 
Now leaves the burning home that gives it birth, 
To revel in their unknown mysteries. 

Come, let us go abroad to-night, and taste 
The soul - entrancing bliss, that seems to steal 
Like far-off melodies upon the heart. 
The full -orbed moon is kindling in the sky; 
H 157 



158 LELIA. 

Her rays are dancing on the crested wave, 
And sleeping softly on yon sloping hill, 
And creeping through the rustling foliage, 
Like fairies sporting on the chequered ground. 
There are some wrecks of Eden lingering still. 
That woo us with their beauty. 

In this grove. 
That whispers softly to the murmuring stream. 
Let us repose awhile. Its sacred haunts 
Were once the scene of more than earthly love. 
*Twas here fair Lelia gave her virgin heart 
To Lelan of the wild and woodland dell. 
She was too fair for earth. I see her now. 
As when she used to trip across the lawn, 
And pluck the wild flowers in her pathway strewn — 
Herself the sweetest, loveliest of them all. 
The fairest rose would suffer by her cheek; 
And when she lifted up her pensive eyes. 
There beamed a beauty from their quiet depths 
That stirred the heart to worship. None in whom 
There glowed a spark of nature's fire could look 
Upon her faultless form, and fail to love. 
No wonder, then, that Lelan, in whose breast 



LELIA. 159 

The wildest passion for the beautiful 

Was nursed from childhood's earliest morn, should 

love. 
He roved adventurous among the hills, 
And drank the gushing beauty of the morn, 
While seated on some lone and lofty peak ; 
And lingered, when the evening hour came on, 
To watch the sun, slow sinking in the west. 
Where oft he veils himself behind the clouds, 
As they were . curtains for his night's repose. 
His form was manly; in his eye there slept 
A melancholy light; and on his brow 
Reposed the dignity of lofty thought. 
His heart was full of gentle sympathies, 
And melted at the slightest touch, and poured 
Like mountain springs, its gushing waters on 
The barren waste : but when its depths were stirred, 
The tide of feeling wildly rushed along. 
Like the mad heavings of the ocean surge. 

One eve, when nature wore her loveliest smile; 
He saw fair Lelia glide into her bower; 
And, lingering near, though unobserved, he heard 
The soft strains of her lute, as thus she sung : 



l60 LELIA. 

*'It is sv/eet to repose in my own pretty bower, 
While the stars are all watching above, 

But a loneliness steals o'er my heart at this hour; 
For what is this life without love? 

All nature is beautiful now to my eye, 

Yet my thoughts from its beauty will rove. 

And my heart, in the midst of it all, heaves a sigh; 
For what is this life without love? 

The proud and the noble to heaven have vowed, 
At my feet, their pure passion to prove; 

But my heart was untouched by their words as they 
bowed ; 
For what is this life without love? 

The heart that I love must be full of emotion, 

Yet as gentle and mild as a dove, 
And love as my own, with a depth of devotion ; 

For what is this life without love?" 

Scarce had the strains died on his spell -bound ear, 
Ere he had clasped her trembling hand, and knelt 
Impassioned at her feet. But we must drop 



LELIA. l6l 

The veil around them here. It is not meet 
That we should gaze upon a scene like this: 
When kindred spirits, in the first wild flush, 
That rushes like a torrent o'er the soul. 
Give up their hearts to pure and holy love. 

Doubt as we may, there is a heaven - born Jove 
That comes upon the heart, as much unsought 
As its pulsation ; breaking through the forms 
And fetters thrown around it by the world ; 
And, like the comet, rushes madly on, 
Regardless of the placid orbs that shine. 
And smile, in their bright spheres, along its path, 
To its own home of bliss. 

And who shall say 
The stars have not their loves, as well as birds ! 
Or, that the ocean does not palpitate 
With joy, when wooed by its fair spouse, the moon ! 
Or that the blushing flower feels not a thrill 
Of rapture in the morning sun -beam's kiss! 

She gave her heart to Lelan ; — no slight boon ; — 
And well he prized the gift. 
14^ L 



l62 LELIA. 

They oft were seen, 
In their light skiff, to glide along the stream, 
Beneath the overhanging rocks and boughs, 
Where not a sound, except the light oar's dip, 
The quiet, dreamy hum of stillness broke. 
" My gentle one " — he said : and pressed her close. 
With tremulous emotion to his breast; 
Gazing upon her fair and tranquil brow. 
On which he smoothed the soft and loosened tress 
With which the breeze was playing — " dost thou love 
This quiet scene? It is to me so like 
A dream of heaven, I almost fear to speak. 
Lest I may break the spell : my cup is full 
Of bliss : it is enough — I ask no more. 
And yet, a sadness comes upon my heart, 
To think it cannot last. No, Lelia, no ! 
It is a dream from which we must awake; 
The world's rude jar will startle us ere long 
With its eternal change. But it must come ! 
A few short years, at best, must close the scene ! 
It is the stern decree from which there can 
Be no appeal. These solid rocks must yield ! 
The lightning fires shall sear and rend these hills ! 
This spacious dome shall kindle, rock, and fall ! 



LELIA. 163 

And Time himself, so long relentless, furl 
His worn and jaded pinions, motionless 
To sleep forever, on the changeless sea 
Of undisturbed duration ! 

"We must then 
Look on, beyond this life, for happiness 
Unchecked by this foreboding fear of change. 
This world allows us but to taste a few 
Such hours as this, to lure us on to heaven. 
What dost thou think, my Lelia, is it so ? " 

She, musing, gazed in silence for awhile. 
As if her spirit, from its wanderings. 
Was loath to be recalled. Then lifting up 
Her lustrous eyes, to which her thoughts had called 
The beauty of a trembling tear, replied : 
**Yes, Lelan, it is true! I know it well! 
For, this poor heart has felt, from its young years, 
The careless hand of Time upon its strings. 
Disturbing strangely all their harmony. 
And breaking them asunder, one by one. 
A mother — then a father — rudely torn 
From my young heart ! and I was left, a lone 



164 LELIA. 

And fragile thing, upon the wide world's waste, 

To guide my bark upon the unknown sea 

Of human life. Nor need I stop to tell 

How near to being wrecked it oft hath been; 

It is a common tale. The wonder is 

That it was not, and not that thousands are. 

Nor need I tell of blighted hopes and joys; 

Of disappointments that have crushed the heart; 

Of pride, deceit, neglect, and all the ills, 

And wrongs, that dull the generous soul of youth. 

Shut up the heart, and chill the very blood. 

And make us doubt that such a thing as truth, 

Unselfish act, or deed, is to be found: 

It is the lot of all to suffer thus; 

And fearfully it told upon my heart 

Thou knowest full well; when I could doubt thy truth, 

As oft I did ; and listen to thy voice, unmoved ; 

And trifle with thy pure and holy love. 

As though it were a light and trivial thing. 

But when thy gentle spirit, worn and chafed, 

Rose up in its proud strength, resolved to break 

Its chains, and waited but a single word : — 

I could not lose thee, no! — Forgive me, love! — 

My heart was thine — I feared not thee — the world: 



LELIA. 165 

That, in its everchanging scenes, it would 

Allure thee from me, and my heart be left 

All lone and broken. But I knew thee not, 

As I do now. This world may do its worst — 

It cannot last; — we look for little here. 

But love like ours, I'm sure, can never die! 

And, oh ! when we shall meet in some bright sphere, 

Far circling through the still, blue depths of heaven, 

Where every wish will be a rushing wing. 

And every thought, a bright and rustling plume 

To bear us to its full fruition; then, 

Surrounded by the beauty and the bloom 

Of more than Eden's primal loveliness. 

Will we, in some fair bower, that we will name 

The lover's home, be happy in our love, 

Forever and forever. 

*'But while here. 
We have a duty which we should perform, 
If we would hope for happiness above. 
The poor and wretched are on every hand ; 
The world is full of suffering and sin: 
Let us resolve to do what good we can 
For frail humanity, that it may lie 
As a protecting mantle o'er our own." 



l66 LELIA. 

She ceased : — and Lelan thus : — "My heart's sole 
queen ! 
Thou art a peerless one! O, that the world 
Had more such noble hearts as thine, to warm 
Its frigid bosom ! Soon would it revive 
From its long night of torpor and of gloom, 
As earth, beneath the genial warmth of spring. 
Sad as it is, there are some sunny spots 
Along our path, that make us cling to life 
E'en now. Existence hath, for all, some charm. 
It is so sweet, at times, to live, and move, 
And breathe the balmy air; to feel the flush 
Of health excite the lithe and active limbs, 
While the warm blood goes thrilling through the veins. 
But if oppression once were shaken from 
Its proud, despotic throne; injustice hurled 
From its accustomed seat; and avarice, 
(Congealed to polar ice,) thawed down and warmed; 
The human mind enlightened and set free 
From superstition gross, and error wild; 
And man raised up to his true dignity. 
Redeemed and happy here, with a sure hope 
Of never-ending happiness in heaven; 
Then would life have a charm, that well might bring 



LELIA. 167 

The pure and holy ones from other worlds, 
As guests to mingle in its pleasing scenes. 
Oh! what a fearful weight is resting on 
The rich and proud oppressors of mankind ! 
It is an easy thing for those who own 
Of this world's goods a full and generous store, 
To talk about economy and thrift, 
And teach the poor how fortunes may be made, 
By persevering toil from day to day, 
And saving from their very life their gains. 
But, oh ! they little know, much less they feel. 
The true condition of the suffering poor ; 
Whose whole existence is one constant strife 
With all the nobler feelings of the soul ; 
And day by day but sinks them deeper down 
The yawning, rayless, cheerless, changeless gulf! 
Why should this bitter curse be left to hang. 
Like a dead weight, upon their very life; 
Crushing alike their feelings, sympathies, 
And every generous impulse in their breast; 
Searing their conscience, withering, like a blight. 
The lingering germ of their humanity? 
Thus doomed and hopeless, their condition is 
A libel on their nature. Why should they 



l68 LELIA. 

Possess a generous impulse in their breast, 

But to recoil upon itself and wound 

The noblest traits of their humanity, 

Add keenness to their sorrow? What if some 

Are demons? Man, not God, has made them so. 

They once were innocent, and might have been, 

But for the wrong, oppression, and neglect 

Of their own kind, as happy as the best. 

"Blame not that man, but rather pity him, 
Who, overwhelmed beneath the withering blight 
Of hopeless, helpless, wretched poverty, 
Grasps in his hand the maddening bowl, and steeps 
His soul in its oblivious dregs, until 
His dull and stupid eye fears not to brook, 
Without a sense of shame, the heartless gaze 
Of those around him. 

"Nor too harshly deal, 
Without one thought upon the cause of crime, 
With him, who, rather than submit to live 
A poor and humble drudge, unwisely seeks. 
By stealth or fraud, to lift himself above 
The chilly sphere of want. 



LsELIA. 169 

*' Nor yet with him, 
Who dares to break the law of God and man, 
And bathe his murderous hands in human blood. 
Without inquiring what he might have been 
Had kindness shed its warmth around his heart, 
In earlier years. 

''But how shall he endure 
The shock, who once possessed a happy home, 
Surrounded by the comforts of this life ; 
And from his little circle sent around 
The radiations of his generous heart ! 
His little ones, as joyous as the birds 
That carol forth their happy lays in spring. 
Would haste to meet him, at his near approach. 
Directed by the quicker eye of her 
Who felt no pleasure marred at his return. 
And leap upon his knee, and shout with joy. 
While she, with matron dignity, looked on 
Her stay and hope, with joy as deep, but calm. 
And from her full heart smiled. 

''Misfortune came. 
As if in very envy of their bliss, 
15 



I/O LELIA. 

And dashed the cup away, which seemed too full; 
And that bright home is desolate. 

*'At first, 
The withering sense of reputation lost 
O'erwhelmed. Then justice to his fellow -man 
Knocked loudly at his heart. And then his home, 
And those dear ones that looked to him for bread. 
Passed in review before his mind, and chilled. 
Ay, froze the very life-blood in his veins. 
Thrown out upon the world, to meet its rude 
And chilling taunts, reproached perhaps by those 
Whose hands were always open to receive 
The proffered kindness. What must be his strength 
Of moral courage to withstand the shock 
Unscathed ! Must she whose slender form ne'er 

knew 
The weight of toil become a patient drudge; 
And those dear ones, so lately full of joy. 
So happy in their quiet, peaceful home. 
Be sent adrift to meet the rude address 
Of pampered insolence or bloated pride. 
When they, all trembling, seek for honest toil ? 
Is it in human nature to endure 



LELIA. 171 

All this, without a mortifying sense 

Of degradation ! No, it cannot be ; 

The sensitive shrink back from it appalled; 

The stoutest quail beneath its withering touch. 

Is there no means by which this demon Fear 

May be forced back within his squalid lair, 

And man be left unfettered to walk forth 

In his true dignity? Remove this fear 

Of poverty, and you remove the cause 

Of almost every crime. Here is the field, 

Philanthropists, that claims your patient toil ; 

The physical condition of mankind 

Demands amelioration at your hands. 

How can you hope to mend man's moral state 

While mind and body both are held in thrall ! 

First nurse the plant to health, and then engraft. 

"How often are we told, when we despond, 
To think how many thousands suffer more ! 
Is it a source from whence to draw support 
And consolation, that our fellow -man 
Is suffering more than we? and shall we then 
Lift up our hands in thanks to God because 
We are more favored at his hands? Away 



1/2 LELIA. 

With such presumption ! tell us not that God, 

Who bids the rain to fall alike on all, 

Is partial. This is man's sad work, alone. 

God knows, there is enough in this wide world 

For all, and yet are there not many men 

Who would reach forth their hands and grasp the 

whole, 
Ay, grasp and keep it, too, if their own will 
Could do the deed? 

''Perchance it was the sin 
Of our first parents in their Eden home; 
For they were happy there, until they sought 
To be more happy still, and thus lost all. 
And how could He who planned and made them so. 
And bid them so remain, but frown upon 
The impious act of disobedience. 
Impeaching thus his wisdom and his power ! 

*'I would not have the heart of steel that throbs 
In some men's bosoms, for a world of gold. 
That man who thanks no Being for his life. 
Who breathes the air, drinks of the purling streams. 
Fares sumptuously upon the bounteous earth, 



LELIA. 173 

Lives for himself, regardless of his kind, 

Who gets and holds wealth for itself alone, 

And makes it pander to his greedy lust 

For more, is, though the world may call him just, 

A robber on G'od's heritage to man. 

And will be so regarded, when the light 

Shall break effulgent on the human mind, 

And man shall feel and know his true estate. 

Be mine the task to throw one fagot on 

The slumbering embers ; that the world may say, 

When I am gone, *'Twas better that he lived.' 

How lone must be the grave of him for whom 

No human being has a sigh or tear ! 

''Here in this wild sequestered spot, away 
From all the noise and strife of busy men, 
Might we, a little world within ourselves, 
Where love alone should rule with gentle sway. 
Roam pleasantly among its quiet scenes. 
Unnoticed by the world, and spend our lives 
Delightfully, and smoothly glide along 
Life's waveless stream, until we floated out 
Into the ocean of eternity: 
But, Lelia, duty points, and I must go : 
15^ 



174 LELIA. 

Though from thy presence it may guide me far, 
Thou shalt forever be my ruling star." 

*'Yes, go," fair Lelia tremblingly replied: 
*^Thy noble purpose and resolve, my heart 
Commends and mind approves; but not alone; 
I will go with thee, for I cannot spare 
Thee from my heart; besides, thy spirit needs 
My fostering hand ; it is too sensitive 
To meet and brook the rudeness of the world. 
The bigoted will hold thee in contempt; 
The skeptic's sneer, the proud one's haughty scorn. 
Will try thee sore; and ignorance will look 
With its unmeaning eye; the thoughtless wound 
With careless speech ; and dulness will weigh down, 
With its stupidity, the heart like lead. 
When all around is cold, and dark, and drear; 
Thy spirit, weary with its thankless toil. 
Turns sick away, oppressed with doubt and gloom; 
Shall not thy Lelia' s bosom pillow then 
Thy aching brow, and cheer thee with its truth? 
Deem not that woman has no task assigned 
In this great work : but still I freely own 
She poorly plays her part : the destiny 



LELIA. 175 

Of nations, ay, the world, is in her hands. 
Like Him whose spirit moved upon the void, 
And moulded young creation, she broods o'er 
The chaos of the infant world of mind, 
And moulds it surely with her plastic hand. 
How great the trust committed to her charge ! 
What grand, sublime, ineffable results 
Are in her keeping ! Yet she little feels. 
Or knows, or uses this stupendous power. 
Before which kings are nothing, as she ought. 
Oh, how does ignorance weigh down the soul 
With its incomparable weight of woe ! 
How much that is endured, need not be borne, 
If all could see aright the common bond 
Of fellowship that should unite them here ; 
And know that none, however rich or great, 
Is independent of his fellow -man; 
And act upon the plainest principles 
Of common sense, that, in the happiness 
Of others, each, alone, may find his own ! 

*'Yes, I will leave these pleasant hills and vales, 
The music of this gentle murmuring stream. 
These walks, and lawns, and flowers, and trees, and 
birds, 



1/6 LELIA. 

That have so oft beguiled my girlhood's hours; 
My cottage home, the dearest spot on earth — 
Leave all, and go with thee, that I may share 
Thy toils and triumphs ; for my spirit swells 
And kindles at the thought of aiding in 
A work, so fraught with blessings to our race." 

She looked to see if Lelan's eye approved: 
It rested thoughtfully upon the ground : 
And musing thus he stood, until a tear 
Stole up and dimmed his gaze; then clasping her 
Close to his throbbing breast, in silence wept. 
And fearful was the struggle for a time 
That swayed distractedly his wavering mind. 
There are those moments when the best stand poised, 
And hesitate a while which path to choose; 
The rugged one of duty, or, of ease. 
At length, with firmness in his tone, he said: 

*'It cannot be, my loved and gentle one; 
Thy life is far too precious in my sight, 
To peril madly thus. Thou art a pearl 
Of too much worth, so recklessly to risk 
In far-off, rude, and uncongenial climes. 



LELIA. 177 

'Tis but a special mission calls me hence — 
A year or two, and then I will return 
On love's swift wings, with bounding heart, to thee. 
'Tis hard to leave the scenes of early youth, 
Where I have spent so many happy hours ; 
My home, and all the friends I love so well ; 
But, oh ! to tear myself away from thee, 
Demands a sacrifice almost too great 
For this poor heart to make. Yet I submit. 
Believing as I do, that He who guides 
With an unerring hand the universe, 
Will rule this feeble act to some good end. 
And thou, my generous, noble - hearted one, 
Whose spirit dares so much to serve our race, 
Shalt find enough for thy fair hands to do 
Around thee here. I leave thee in the midst 
Of ignorance, so wilful and perverse. 
So steeped in selfishness, conceit, and pride. 
That sooner would I take the darkest mind 
That ever groped amid its pagan gods. 
And hope to ope its portals to the light 
Of reason and of truth, by far, than it. 
Almost a hopeless task! But there is still 
M 



178 LELIA. 

An ample field in which thy heart may find 
Full scope for all its generous sympathies." 

And thus they talked. And Lelan lingered long. 
While Lelia, loath to let him go so soon, 
Although she struggled to conceal the gloom 
That gathered, like a dreary winter -cloud. 
Around her heart, looked sad, and yet she smiled ; 
But 'twas the smile of sorrow, not of joy. 
As fell disease sends up the flush of health 
In mockery upon the cheek, it came 
Deep -laden from the troubled heart, and played 
In melancholy beauty on her lip. 
She almost felt that she could win him back 
From his high purpose. And an easy task 
It would have been. Their 7ninds were right; their 

hearts 
They dared not trust. 

Oh ! blame them not, but ^y. 
Would you have done as well? Have sacrificed 
So much of ease, of love, of bliss, to serve 
Disinterestedly your fellow -man? 
The mass of mankind, in this selfish world, 



LELIA. 179 

Do not act thus. The heai^t, and not the head, 
Rules nearly all the acts of men — hnpulse — 
Not reason. This is wrong. The mind should rule. 
The heart's the source of errors not the mind. 

The time at length arrived that must decide 
Which power controlled their pure and generous souls. 
It came too soon. How swift the flight of time 
When lovers would restrain its rushing wings! 
But, conscious of the duties it enjoined, 
They met it firmly, though with sinking hearts. 
In trembling accents Lelan broke the spell 
That sealed their lips, and thus, his last farewell : 

*'Thou, art indeed, with me to-night; 

Thy warm cheek rests upon my own; 
But ere to-morrow's kindling light 
Shall veil his beauty from my sight. 

My heart will be how lone ! 

*'In yon frail bark, borne from the west. 
My throbbing head I must recline, 
Far on the ocean's stormy breast. 
Rocked by its heaving waves to rest. 
As thou art now, on mine. 



l80 LELIA. 

''My eye will miss my gentle one, 

And try to catch a glimpse, in vain, 
Of this fair land whence I have gone. 
But find nought else to rest upon, 
Except the sky and main. 

*'And I will lean my head and seek 
To hear thy soft familiar tone. 
Borne on the breeze, some message speak, 
But hear instead the wild winds shriek. 
And ocean's hollow moan. 

*'But though I leave my land behind, 
And from my dearest treasure part, 
'Tis sweet to know my active mind 
Can look within my breast and find 
Thy image on my heart. 

"When far away from home and thee. 
In other lands, or on the wave ; 
Wilt thou bestow a thought on me. 
And ask while on thy bended knee, 
That He may bless and save? 



LELIA. l8l 

'* I feel thy arm more closely twined ; — 
I doubted not thy love and truth; — ■ 
An idle thought thrown to the wind, 
That in my breast no place could find — 
A mere impulse of youth. 

**Dry up these tears that fall so fast, 
Dispel these dark foreboding fears, 
A gloom upon my heart 'twould cast. 
To think that when I saw thee last, 
Thine eyes were wet with tears. 

"Our duty here we must fulfil, 

As far as to us may be given ; 
Though now we part for good or ill, 
We'll meet again, I'm sure we will, 

If not on earth, in heaven. 

*'If here, again our hearts will leap 
With joy our lips cannot declare; 
But, oh ! to meet where angels keep 
Their vigils o'er no eyes that weep; 
It will be rapture there. 
i6 



l82 LELI A. 

*'To mountain slope and wild -wood shade, 
And gentle stream, and lonely dell, 
To mead and vale, where I have strayed. 
And with light heart, in youth have played, 
I now must bid farewell. 

''And thou who art my life and light; 

My polar star, forever true ; 
My sun, without whose beams 'twere night; 
My own, my beautiful and bright; 

My fondly loved ; adieu ! 

*'When evening stills the rude worlds jar. 
And cloudless smile yon fields of blue ; 
Thy spirit wing to yon bright star. 
And mine will meet it from afar. 
And each fond pledge renew. 

''And thus, upon its placid face — 
As lovers love to meet unseen — 
Our souls, o'erleaping time and space, 
Will mingle still in fond embrace. 
Though oceans roll between. 



LELIA. 183 

''I leave thee now, but ere I go, 

Be this — our constancy to prove — 
A thrilling seal, that we well know 
None else can trace, or e 'er bestow — 
A holy pledge of love. 

*' Farewell — may blessings, like the dew 
That falls upon the grateful flower, 
Rest on thee, and thy strength renew, 
And angels guard thy footsteps too 
From harm, each passing hour!" 

A moment more, in silence, they remained ; — 

But eyes can speak more eloquent by far 

Than any human tongue ; and theirs discoursed 

Of tenderest emotions, hope, and love. 

Until, with hands they waved the heart's farewell. 

How much of life is crowded in a few 
Brief moments here, of joy, of woe ; the rest, 
Is blank monotony, sustained by hope j — - 
Endurance, by anticipation fed ; 
While silently, though sure. Time does its work. 
And Death, in mercy comes, to close the scene ! 



184 LELIA. 



LELI A, 



PART II. 



'T^WAS Autumn. O'er the earth its spirit hung 

-■- Upon its brooding wings; and, as it moved 
Apace, the forest caught the rainbow tints 
Thrown o'er it by the lustre of its plumes. 
The sky was tinged with a soft, mellow haze 
That seemed to float upon the dreamy air, 
Like pleasing visions circling round the couch 
Of pensive beauty ere it drops to sleep. 

The winter hath its revels, but to me 
They seem like festivals around the dead. 
Spring gushes forth in freshness on the earth. 
And kindles up the fading fires of hope; 
And, passing dull indeed must be that one 
Whose heart does not dilate amid its youth. 
Its bloom and beauty. Yet, the stricken heart 
Will tremble still for all its promises. 



LELIA. 185 

And summer comes all flushed with unclaimed wealth 

Upon its teeming bosom, lavishing 

Its charms in drunken wantonness, until, 

With sated senses sickened, we withdraw 

From its hot breath, and brilliant flashing eye. 

But Autumn— oh, America, thine own. 

Unrivalled in its beauty! — softly smiles, 

Unclasps her generous hand, and kindly pours. 

With solemn admonitions, all her stores 

Upon her needy children. 

Come with me 
Again to Lelia's bower: for, I do love. 
Beneath the Autumn's dusky sky to rove, 
Far in the silent woods, and watch the leaves 
Drop off, and circle slowly to the ground. 
And stir them, lying loosely round my feet. 
I, too, as one of these, ere long must fall. 
And mingle, undistinguished, dust with dust. 
It is a time and place for solemn thought. 
And hither Lelia came to muse awhile. 
Amid the stillness of the quiet grove. 
But more, perchance, upon familiar scenes 
To gaze, endeared by many a happy hour 



ISO LELIA. 

Long since gone by, but treasured in the shrine 
Of fadeless memory. 

Her cheek was pale, 
Yet lovely as the Autumn's fading hues, 
And other traces than those made by time 
Were on her brow. But what the eye loved less. 
The heart loved more. Though there was less of earth. 
There was much more of heaven. He who loved 
Before, would now adore, and almost feel 
That he was gazing on some angel form 
Just from, or now about to leave for heaven. 

Long years, (for time moves slow to them that wait) 
Had passed since here she gave her youthful heart, 
With all its wealth of warm affections fresh, 
To one whose faithfulness she could not doubt. 
And here she had been happy in his love; 
As oft, in summer-time; they wandered forth 
Alone, watched only by the matron moon, 
Or birds, as busy in their loves as they. 
And now she stood again amid these scenes; 
But where was he? A withering, scathing thought 
Came up and lingered for a moment on 



LELIA. 187 

Her troubled brow. Oh! what can wring the heart 
Of faithful, trusting woman, like the thought 
That she has been abandoned and deceived? 
Oppressed and sad, her heart gave way, and found 
Relief in tears. Then, underneath an oak 
That spread its branches like a father's arms 
Above his weeping child, she knelt and prayed: 

''Almighty Ruler of the universe! 
Here, in thy silent temple, I would bow, 
And offer up my feeble meed of praise 
And adoration. 

''Thou art good and great! 
Eternal, self - existent ! Thou dost dwell 
The same, throughout all space, forever in 
Thy own seclusion; moving systems, worlds. 
And atoms, in harmonious order through 
Thy boundless realm; sustaining by thy will. 
And power creative, all things, in their sure. 
Mysterious, ceaseless change. 

"To thee belongs 
The homage of mankind. Thou hast revealed 



l88 LELIA. 

To us our duty and our destiny; 
And sent thy Son to us that he might be 
The Saviour and the Sovereign of the world. 
And through him we are taught to pray to thee, 
Our Father and our God; that thou art near, 
And ever willing to incline thine ear 
To the sincere petitions of thy poor, 
Oppressed, and erring children; that thou dost 
Regard and grant them in thy providence, 
When for our good. 

*'We know that we must die; 
That life, at best, is short, and soon must end; 
That every tie on earth, however dear. 
Must yield to thy omnipotent decree; / 

And yet, when thou, in mercy, one by one, 
Dost take away our idols from us here. 
To wean us gently from this fleeting world, 
Oh ! how we tax thy goodness with our woes, 
And struggle to retain them. 

**This poor heart 
Is sad and lonely now ; bereft of all — 
The first, the last, the only link that binds 



LELIA. 189 

Its fluttering pinion to this blighted sphere — 

It comes, in all its weakness, to thy throne, 

To ask forgiveness for its many sins. 

And strength to bear with fortitude thy will, 

And give up freely all its hold on earth, 

That it may find relief, and rest and peace, 

Cheered by the hope of happiness in heaven. 

Already has the seed of death been sown; 

I feel it stealing through this languid frame; 

And soon, all still and cold, it must repose 

In the lone grave ; but, oh ! if I might see 

Once more that absent one, or even know 

That he is well, and happy in the hope 

Of rest eternal in the spirit -land; 

I feel that I could die without regret. 

I know that with thy blessing we are safe ; 

Grant that, O, Father ! not to us alone. 

But to thy children, everywhere, I pray. 

And ask, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen! " 

Vain skeptic ! say, is there no solace found 
By those who put their trust in Him, and call 
Upon His name ? If thou hadst seen that face, 
All pale, and wrung with anguish, lifted up ; 



190 • LELIA. 

And then, in its angelic beauty, calm 

And placid, as she rose and quit the scene; 

Thou wouldst have felt that this was holy ground, 

And that the presence of the Mighty One 

Was brooding o'er that sad and sorrowing heart, 

And stilling its emotion. 

Go contend 
With the fierce whirlwind's wrath; the ocean surge; 
The lightning leaping from the lurid cloud ; 
Marshal your serried hosts upon the plain, 
And rush impetuous on your stubborn foe ; 
And breast to breast with glittering steel opposed. 
Close in the deadly conflict, dealing death 
And carnage all around; and let your shout 
Of triumph ring above the clashing steel. 
And the deep wail of hosts of dying men; 
Place on your brow the victor's wreath of fame. 
Inwoven with the sighs of widowed hearts. 
And set with orphans' tears for glancing gems ; 
And, ''He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh, 
And have you in derision ; ' ' but the soft 
Vibrations of a whispered prayer will touch 
His heart, and move its mighty energies. 



LELlA. 191 

Ah ! Lelia, hadst thoii known the reason why 
That loved and absent one did not return 
In his appointed time, far other thoughts 
Than those that gave thee pain would have disturbed 
Thy gentle bosom. 

Gallantly his bark, 
With all her canvas to the breeze unfurled, 
Was bounding o'er the main. And Lelan felt 
His heart beat quicker as the breeze grew strong; 
And kindling with his hopes and fears, he sung : 

'*Now, noble bark, upon the deep. 
Thy trackless path pursue. 
And o'er the curling billows leap, 
With steady helm and true. 

**As men woo Fortune for her smile. 
Court thou the fickle gale, 
And leave this dark benighted isle. 
Our own fair land to hail. 

*'I love the speed the strong wind brings. 
Nor care how fast I go ; 
The bird that soars on swiftest wings 
Would bear me on too slow. 



192 LELIA. 

''For, this full heart, long taught to bow 
To mandates of the soul. 
Is fluttering in my bosom now, 
And will not brook control. 

*'I'm on the sea, I'm on the sea! — 
My pulse is throbbing wild; 
And I could dance and shout with glee, 
Like some untutored child. 

"Speed on — for there is o'er the main, 
Where sinks the setting sun, 
A form these arms would clasp again — 
A dear and lovely one. 

*'0h! Lelia, art thou still the same. 
As when I saw thee last? 
Thy smile of love let me still claim; 
'Twill amply pay the past. 

"How have I borne to be away 
From thee I love so well! 
How shall I yet bear the delay ! 
Alas, this heart can tell! 



LELIA. 193 

"Ye winds be fair! thou sky serene! 
Proud bark, thy course is free ! 
On ocean's breast thou sitt'st a queen: 
Be true, be true, thou sea ! ' ' 

Who has not felt enkindled in his breast 
A thrill of fear, of joy, when long away, 
He turns, at last, his footsteps towards the home 
Of his affections, and of those he loves ! 
But Lelan had forgot the elements 
Are far more faithful than his fellow -man. 

The lawless pirate, ranging o'er the deep, 
Had marked that noble ship, and now came down 
Upon her, as the vulture swoops its prey. 
A fierce and savage band, upon her deck 
They stand, impatient for their work of death, 
While Lelan thus addressed the brigand chief, 
Whose lofty bearing told that he was none 
Of nature's careless work: 

**Thou art a fine 
And manly -looking fellow; no doubt brave, 
In desperate deeds of daring, as the world, 
17 N 



194 LELIA. 

By its false standard, terms it; worthy of 

A better calling! Ah! sneer not because 

Thy daring spirit met no contest here; 

Nor deem that thou hast got a cringing slave 

Thy prisoner. This heart as calmly beats, 

As ever did thine own, and does defy 

Thy worst, if thou wilt give a trusty blade 

To this right arm, and meet me hand to hand." 

The brigand, eying him a space, replied: 
*' Your speech is bold, young man ! As you well know, 
Our custom is, to make short work with those 
That might tell tales; and as your doom is sealed, 
For want of more exciting sport, I grant 
Your modest boon. Take thou this blade, prepare. 
And we will try thy vaunted strength and skill." 
Then, turning to his men, he bid them stand; 
Drew forth, and closed with Lelan in the strife. 
Awhile, in easy play, they seemed engaged; 
But, gathering as the storm, the struggle grew 
More fierce and hot with each successive pass 
That harmless fell upon the ringing steel. 
'Twas soon apparent to the brigand chief, 
No feeble 3,rm opposed his utmost skill; 



LELIA. 195 

And vexed at being foiled, he dealt his blows 

In furious passes at his skilful foe, 

Who, cool and calm, with sure precision turned 

^Each deadly thrust aside, until he gained 

Advantage of his flagging arm, and struck 

The weapon from his hand; then, casting down 

His own, he stood, alike unarmed, before the chief. 

Who thus addressed him: 

*^Dost thou give me life? 
Know, then, a brigand shall not be outdone; 
Thy life is safe. But I would know by what 
Strange principle, such coolness, strength, and skill, 
Were not employed to save this stately ship. " 

'^Know, then, that I am one who deems the life 
Of my own brother man to be by far 
More sacred than the richest mines of gold. 
Had we contended, blood must have been shedj 
And thou, with all thy band, art ill prepared 
To close thy last account. 

''But tell me, why 
Dost thou pursue this wretched course of life. 



196 L E L I A . 

Which soon must end^ to satisfy the law; 

By violence from these ; or, far away 

From thy once happy home, on some wild shore, 

Unsoothed by mother, wife, or friend. Thy name 

A blot upon the teeming page of man's 

Foul history? Thy mien speaks better things." 

A quivering muscle moved the brigand's lip; 
And, drawing Lelan from his men, aside. 
Replied : 

''This mode of life I do despise. 
Few men commit, because they love it^ crime. 
'Tis forced upon them by the world. Endowed 
By nature with a higher, keener sense 
Than beasts of burden, can they live as such. 
Content to bow obedient to some ass 
Whose weak and stupid intellect is roused 
To vent its spleen and humor by the pain 
Of being over -fed? 

"A mother once 
I had, but she is dead. When but a boy. 
She pressed my downy cheek upon her own, 



LELIA. 197 

All pale and drooping, as a withered flower 
In early spring, and said, 'My son, I soon 
Must leave thee to the cold and ruthless world. 
Thy father, fighting for his country, died. 
And I have struggled hard to save from want 
Thy infant years. I can no more. This heart 
Is sinking in the flood ; these eyes would weep 
Were they not sealed. My brother, when I'm gone, 
May yet protect my child. Go, be a man ! ' 
Then gave her blessing, all she had to give, 
And died. 

"Turned from my kinsman's door away, 
I set out honestly to gain my bread ; 
But, cheated, swindled, robbed, oppressed, I swore 
By her who nursed me when an infant boy, 
To wring that justice from the human race 
Which it denied me, by this single arm. 
Or perish — as I seemed, at best, but doomed. 
The deeds which I have done, I grant, were dark: 
And oft they gave my heart a thrilling pang ; 
But, must I crouch, or others crouch to me? 
Beg, fawningly, and play the sycophant. 
While every nerve in my whole frame rebels, 
17* 



198 LELIA. 

Or beggar others, who can feel no more? 

These are the precepts taught me by the world; 

And they are questions, answered by the first 

Law of our nature. If the heart must feel. 

The head, at least, may choose the kind of pain. 

For bread, or menial toil, to save their life. 

Let others trembling crave the pampered hand 

Which fate, by some wild freak, has filled with goldj 

The manner, oft the telling would not bear 5 

I choose, you see, to satisfy my wants 

Another way, and feel, when nature prompts, 

As oft it does, the higher, nobler trait 

Of pity for my victims. But I fain 

Could wish it were not so. Still, I must take 

The world on its own terms; I neither made 

Myself nor it." 

And Lelan thus replied : 
" Thou art not far from truth, my friend. The world 
Is bad enough; but thou wouldst make it wors2 — 
Not better. Here the error lies. It is 
Our habitation ; we, as tenants here 
A little while in common, ought to make. 
It comfortable, or abide the storm. 



LELIA. 199 

'Tis not for weak and finite minds to look 

Into the plans and purposes of God 

Beyond what He reveals. He made all things, 

And who shall say He did not do it well ! 

He rules all things, and who shall dare to say 

His laws and special edicts are not good ! 

If well, and good, whence cometh evil then? 

Abstractly, no such principle exists. 

Evil consists in misapplying good. 

All things are good, for God pronounced them so. 

In their bad use alone the evil lies, 

Man has the jiower to use for good or ill : 

It was the test of his obedience. 

And is so still. That he may use it well. 

Who will deny? That he has used it ill, 

Alas ! poor human nature knows and feels ! 

Without it, man would be a simple clod. 

Why he was made at all, ask thou of God ! 

'*Thus, physically, man became impaired. 
And here we find ourselves, composed of mind 
And matter — soul and body; — one produced 
By procreation, while the other comes 
From God, and is immortal. His best gift 



200 LELIA. 

To man — the soul, that nice - adjusted thing, 
With all its harmony of balanced powers, 
The skilful work of the Eternal Mind, 
Must manifest itself as best it can 
Through its imperfect organs. 

''Hence, the vast 
Variety of character displayed ; 
Which, in its strongest, highest, noblest range, 
Still leaves unsatisfied the longing soul. 
And, like a prisoner -bird, that fain would soar, 
But folds its drooping wings upon its breast, 
Or madly chafes them on its prison -bars. 
The soul looks from its prison-house of clay. 
Through every loop undarkened by despair, 
Or in mad efforts racks its feeble frame. 
'The spirit's willing, but the flesh is weak.' 
Where is the strength that fain would be put forth 
By the disease - attenuated frame ! 
The speech, to kindle on the tongue that's dumb! 
The melody, to charm the ear that's deaf! 
The beauty, flashing round the eye that's blind! 
The free, the wide, the mighty scope of thought, 
Of reason, when the brain is weak and dull ! 



LELIA. 20I 

Alas! who does not feel this ponderous truth: 
*The spirit's willing, but the flesh is weak.' 
Who shall set limits to the daring soul ? 
Give it an organism unimpaired, 
And thou shalt see a man, transcendently 
Above all that the world e'er saw, save One. 
Alas, that human nature should have fallen 
From such a height, to such a dark abyss 
Of wretchedness and woe ! 

^'But as it fell, 
So may it be restored. Abundant means 
Are all around us, if we use them well. 
It is the body, not the soul, that claims 
Our philanthropic aid in its behalf: 
The physical condition of mankind 
Must be improved. 'Tis through this means alone 
The moral can be permanently reached. 
Those who teach otherwise than this, teach wrong. 
It is a ruse of tyranny to point 
The suffering millions to a better world, 
That they may be content to bear the ills 
And wrongs which it inflicts upon them here. 
Each one a man — what more the sceptred wretch 



202 L E L I A . 

Who crushes them beneath his iron rule? 

It is a duty which we owe to God, 

Ourselves, society, our fellow -man, 

To elevate the standard of our race; 

Unfold, enlarge, exalt, and dignify 

These sacred 'temples of the living God.' 

We must go to the squalid haunts of woe, 

Of poverty, of ignorance, of crime; 

Lift up the wretched inmates to the light. 

And let them breathe the genial breath of heaven; 

Teach them to think, to feel, to act like men; 

Give them an interest in society, 

And thus enlist their feeling on the side 

Of 'law and order,' justice, truth, and love. 

They are our brothers ! shall we let them starve, 

And heap their dying curses on our heads? 

Or live to forage in a thousand forms 

Upon the avarice and selfishness 

Of those who grind and crush them to the dust? 

It is no fault of theirs that they were born ; 

Whose is it, that the portals of the soul 

Have never been unclosed? 

''It is in vain 
For men to shut their eyes, as well as hearts, 



LELIA. 203 

And say, 'I've nought at all to do with this:' 

Vain boast! short-sighted mortals that we are! 

Who pays for prison, alms-house, jail, and court — 

Who double-locks, and bolts, and bars his door — 

Who fears the dread incendiary's torch — 

The assassin's knife — the daring robber bold — 

The roving pirate's fierce and savage band — 

Contagion, steaming from these putrid dens, 

Engendered there, to float upon the winds. 

And sow the earth with foul disease, entailed, 

With all its horrors, on the human race. 

These evils are among us; who escapes 

Them? Why should they remain, since every one 

Would be the gainer if they were removed? 

And to remove them is an easy task, 

If men would do their duty to themselves, 

Society, posterity, and God. 

Let bigots prate about their creeds and forms, 

And rest upon observance and belief; 

Fanatics rant and talk of saving souls. 

For which good service rendered the Most High, 

They surely will expect of Him reward. 

At least, of extra privilege in heaven; 

And priests for money intercede with God 



204 L E L I A . 

To mitigate the punishment, though just, 

Of some ' scape - goat ' who died before his time ; 

They might be worse employed, better no doubt. 

I take it that our duties here are far 

More practical, though not at all less fraught 

With consequence momentous to our race. 

It will not do to sit in lordly state 

And deal out ethics to the destitute. 

The laws of being are imperative. 

And must one way or other be obeyed. 

'Tis not enough to say, 'Depart in peace; 

Be warmed and filled ; ' more must be done than this 

If we would make man what he ought to be ; 

We must come down from visionary schemes 

To * stubborn facts,' and take him as he is. 

Improve his organism, and direct 

His energies to higher, nobler ends. 

Teach him, the more the better, self-respect, 

And then to 'love his neighbor as himself.* 

The body is depraved and far below 

The soul's capacity. The instrument 

Has lost its tone, and now sends forth the jar 

Of discord where there should be harmony; 

Its cords are swept by rude and careless hands, 



LELIA. 205 

Until they cease to vibrate to the touch, 

Or, quivering, break, and leave a lonely wreck 

To perish by the way. 

*'The rich, o'erfed 
Are indolent, tyrannical, and vain; 
The poor, o'erworked, ill fed, and comfortless, 
Are menial slaves, or reckless vagabonds. 
Thus, with the elements, if well applied, 
In rich profusion graciously bestowed. 
To make it soon in vernal beauty bloom. 
Poor human nature lies untilled, untrained, 
A wilderness untamed, a barren waste : 
Where thorns and thistles spring, and choke the 

growth 
Of all that's useful, beautiful, and good; 
Where gems of rarest worth lie trodden down, 
Unsought, unknown, by rudest vandal feet. 

*'l call on you, on every man who has 
A spark of love remaining for his kind. 
To concentrate your efforts on this point. 
The physical improvement of our race. 
This is the point from which reform must start. 
18 



206 LELIA. 

You might as well attempt to teach the babe 

Theology, that it might learn to walk, 

As man, that he might better learn to live; 

In both, the physical ability 

Is wanting, and must be the first supplied. 

The noblest exhibitions of the soul 

Are always found where man is least opprest ! " 

America ! my own free happy land ! 

I turn to thee with love and pride ; and hail 

Thee as the home of Freedom ! where she sits 

Enthroned ! and from her mountain turrets, waves 

Exultingly her banner to the world, 

While rival oceans kneel and kiss her feet! 

She stretches forth her arms to the opprest 

Of every land, and but too fondly holds 

Them to her generous bosom. 

"Though there are 
Some spots remaining on her youthful robe, — 
The lingering stains of royalty, as well 
As barbarism, whence she late emerged, — 
Still, shall she not remove them one by one, 
Until she stands so gloriously arrayed 
That all the nations of the earth shall bow 



LELIA. 207 

To her mild sceptre? Yes, her destiny 
Is onward, while her noble sons prove true; 
And as her flag o'er happy millions floats, 
Star after star shall nestle in its folds." 

Borne far away from his beloved land. 
Perhaps to some lone island in the main, 
The home of these uncouth and lawless men, 
It took no feeble effort to control 
The gathering gloom of disappointed hope 
That lowered, like a cloud, upon his brow. 
Regardless of the oath, the jest, the laugh, 
The quarrel fierce, or bacchanalian shout. 
He pated the deck in meditation lost. 
Or leaning o'er the vessel's side, he gazed 
With vacant stare upon the curling waves. 
While all his swift -winged thoughts were far away. 

A light hand laid upon his arm, recalled 

His wandering thoughts. The brigand chief stood 

there. 
And whispered in his ear a few brief words, 
Of dangers that beset him from the crew; 
Then pointing to a little boat, he said : 



2o8 LELI A. 

*'Leap quick for life, 'tis all that I can do; 
And He whom thou dost trust will safely guide 
Thee o'er the wave." 

The wind was light, but soon 
It bore his fragile bark beyond the reach 
Of them that sought his life. 

And thus alone, 
Mid -ocean, drifting with the wayward winds, 
That soon might wake from their repose, and rush 
Like shrieking fiends upon the fretful waves. 
He felt in all its overwhelming force 
The utter impotence of him who trusts 
In his own strength. 

But all around was calm. 
The ocean lay outspread, as though it slept, 
And rocked him gently on its swelling breast. 
And sang, as mothers to their slumbering babes, 
In softer tones its mournful melody. 
The sky, a spangled curtain, hung around; 
And from its eastern verge the full -orbed moon. 
Night's gorgeous taper, floated up, and smiled. 



LELIA. 209 

To see her beams hold such a merry dance 
Upon the restless wave. 

It was a scene, 
So full of beauty, yet so strange, so lone. 
So like the fragment of some feverish dream, 
Some wild romance that flitted through his brain, 
That even he let go the helm of thought. 
And for a while its wild illusions chased. 
At length aroused, he said: 

**This is no dream, 
But stern reality. And I will meet 
It as becomes a man. —A simile 
Of life! We float off on an unknown sea, 
Impelled by currents we can neither stem 
Nor stay. If wrecked, it was misfortune's fault, 
Or chance, or luck, or doom, or fatej if safe. 
It was our strength and skill that bore us through; 
But where the wisdom, strength, and skill, that weighs 
A feather now ! What folly is it here, 
Or anywhere, for feeble man to trust 
In his own powers! 

18* O 



2IO LELIA. 

''But oh! there is a trust 
That will not fail; a faith that makes us strong. 
And even here, in this, the very home 
Of solitude, far, far from human aid, 
And drifting with the changeful wind and tide, 
Upon the deep, that soon my lifeless form 
May hold, close -lapped and slowly settling down. 
With nought to mark the spot of its repose, 
Save the few bubbles of expiring breath 
That form and float a moment o'er my head, 
I stand in conscious dignity and strength, 
And look with undimmed vision through the veil 
That separates me from the spirit -land. 
And, as the deep, embosomed, holds the forms 
Of those bright gems, whose real substance floats 
In ether far above, so may I view 
This dim and crumbling nothingness below, 
While all that's real in existence thrills 
With immortality. 

''Without this hope, 
What error, chaos, and confusion reign! 
With it, what harmony and truth pervade. 
E'en to our feeble range, the universe! 



LELIA. 211 

Upon this everlasting rock of truth 

I stand, and feel a conscious power that bids 

Defiance to the surging waves of time, 

Or lull of death. As well might He who framed 

The boundless universe, and circled out, 

Amid its endless depths, the viewless paths 

Of wheeling systems, comets, suns, and worlds. 

Himself grow feeble with the lapse of time, 

And drop His mighty sceptre, as the soul, 

A glowing spark of Deity itself. 

Its conscious being lose. 

*'What matter, then. 
Where death o'ertake us, so we are prepared 
To meet and give it welcome ! In thy hand, 
O God, I rest, and for thy summons wait! " 




212 LELIA. 



LELIA. 

PART III. 

'TT^HE circling year was drawing to a close. 

■*- The chilling frosts, like whitening locks of age, 
Hung thick around; and through the naked grove 
The wailing winds swept bleak and drear, as though 
They sang its requiem. Above, the clouds 
Were gathering like a pall, to wrap the earth 
In gloom for burial in its snowy shroud. 

Oh! winter, stern and cold, thou art the twin 
Of death; for thou, like he, with icy touch 
Dost drive life's generous flowing currents back, 
And hold them in thy chilling fetters bound ! 

The healthful ones may buffet thy embrace 
Awhile, and sport in wild and reckless mirth 
Amid thy desolation; but the frail 
Dread thy approach, with thy long train of ills 
The worn and shattered frame cannot repel. 



LELIA. 213 

Thy heavy hand was laid on Lelia now; 
Yet still she lingered, like a summer bird 
Impatient for its absent mate's return, 
To quit its woodland home. 

Her snowy hand. 
Her faded cheek, her slow and feeble step, 
All told that she was fading fast away. 
She knew it well; and for herself, she said, 
She had no fears of death: it soon must come — 
But, when she thought that Lelan might return 
When she was gone, the pearly drops would steal 
Unbidden from their fountains. 

^'Why," she said, 
While gazing out upon the dreary plain, 
''Why is it that our fondest dreams of bliss 
Elude our grasp, and leave but cankering care 
To fester round our hearts? 

*'How oft I've gazed 
Par o'er this plain where last I saw his form 
Receding, but to turn away again. 
All sad and lone, to brood in sorrow o'er 
The wreck of earthly hopes ! 



214 LELIA. 

''Not long ago — 
And yet how long the passing moments seemed — 
I felt the flush of health excite this frame, 
And looked far down life's arched and flowery path 
Until its long unbroken lines converged 
In distance quite remote. 'Twas but a dream, 
That vanished like the fleeting mists of morn, 
And left me, step by step, to tread upon 
The thorns of disappointment. I can bear 
But little more, and then all earthly hopes 
Will end forever in the silent grave. 
Then shall my spirit solve the mystery 
Our dull perceptions fail to fathom here. 

"My lute, once more upon thy yielding strings, 
Let me, in pensive numbers, lay my hand, 
And chant a lay of sadness to my heart, 
■Ere its own quivering strings, like thine, must part. 

''O, wherefore should I linger here, 
When those I fondly loved are gone. 

When all the world seems cold and drear, 
And I am left to pine alone! 

Yet lingering on the verge I stand. 

And dread to try the spirit -land: 



LELIA. 215 

''The unknown land beyond the tomb, 
Whose nearest beacon still must fail 

To throw one ray athwart the gloom 
That hangs above the lonely vale, 

Where death his silent vigil keeps 

Along its dark and icy steeps. 

"But, courage, soul! skake off this dust 

That blinds thy sight, and clogs thy wing ; 

And in thy God and Saviour trust; 
To whom it is a little thing 

To guide and guard thy lonely flight 

To realms of ever -living light. 

*'To Thee, my Saviour, Father, Friend, 
In solemn reverence let me bow! 
And ask that Thou wilt condescend 

To hear my prayer, and bless me now, 
That I may feel, my spirit even 
Thou wilt vouchsafe a home in heaven!" 

She did not linger long; and when she died, 
The ocean buried Lelan's form beneath 
Its lashing billows; and their spirits met 



2l6 LELIA. 

On that fair orb they chose at parting here. 
"MyLelan!" *'Lelia!" and their spirits closed 
In an embrace, so warm and tender, that 
The Angel said, who stood to guard the gate, 
*' They are true lovers, let them pass within." 
Here, they were clothed with immortality, 
And golden harps placed in their trembling hands; 
While gathering round, the beautiful and bright 
Forms bent to kiss their blooming cheeks, and bid 
Them welcome to their happy home of bliss. 
Then rang their harps, in choral anthem joined, 
Through heaven's blue dome, as with swift hands 

they swept 
The yielding wires, and sang the well-known strain 
They oft before had sung o'er the redeemed. 
Electrical, the sound was caught by those 
Still farther round, whose ready harps were strung; 
And farther still the swelling anthem rose. 
Until God's temple trembled with the song: 

Welcome to your happy home, 

In heaven above; 
Where pain and death no more will come, 

For God is love. 



LELIA. 217 

Mortals, faithful, you have won 

This heaven above; 
Immortal now, love on, love on, 

For God is love. 

Blissful now forevermore 

In heaven above; 
You have its range to gain the lore 

That God is love. 

Let the anthem louder ring 

In heaven above; 
For earth hath heard the song we sing. 

That God is love. 

Angels, thrones, dominions, powers. 

In heaven above. 
Proclaim from your delightful bowers. 

That God is love. 

Love's the theme of every tongue 

In heaven above; 
Forever new, forever sung. 

For God is love. 
19 



2l8 LELIA. 

They ceased, and slowly died away the strain, 
While answering, like an echo, through the dome, 
The anthem's burden, 'God is love,' came up 
From distant orbs, and morning stars, and suns, 
Far out upon the verge of vision. 

Now, 
The stillness of devotion brooded o'er 
This peaceful realm — the silence of the soul 
While offering on the altar of its heart 
The burning incense of its grateful love 
To Him who gave it being. 

Then, in pairs, 
And groups, where fancy led, the throng retired: 
Some to the flowery plains in beauty drest, 
To groves, and glens, and lawns, and crystal streams ; 
To gushing fountains, rocks, and waterfalls, 
And to the golden strand of ' waters still. ' 
While Lelan and fair Lelia, motionless. 
Like mortals waking from a sleep profound. 
Confused and lost, with doubting sense remained ; 
And glanced o'er life's dim scenes, as o'er a dream, 
Receding, as their conscious powers awoke. 



. LELIA. 2T9 

And felt the rapturous kindlings of a life. 
To which existence in its highest range 
On earth is but a shadow. Every sense 
Disburdened of corrupt and cumbrous clay, 
Unwearied, drank delight without alloy. 
Expanded vision traced celestial spheres, 
In radiant beauty, circling far through heaven, 
And revelled 'mid the purpling beams of light 
At play in ether. Hearing, well attuned, 
Was quick to catch the harmonies that breathe 
Throughout creation. Taste, refined and pure, 
Regaled uncloyed upon the bread of life. 
The smell was greeted with the rosy breath 
Of vernal morn in dewy freshness bathed. 
And feeling gushed responsive to the play 
Of perfect life vibrating with the pulse 
Of immortality. 

They stood entranced 
Amid the bliss of heaven, like youthful birds. 
Afraid to trust their wings. At length assured, 
With circling arms, and looks of love, they strayed 
O'er the green pastures to a smiling grove, 
Where blossoms, fruits, and flowers, of richest hue, 



220 LELIA. 

And curling vines, in graceful arbors wreathed, 
Invited their delay; and thus, alone. 
With holy greetings such as angels give, 
Sat down, and told the stories of their lives, 
As lovers tell their wild and wayward dreams. 

While thus they talked, a beauteous angel came. 
And leaning on his harp, with gentle voice, 
Addressed them. 

*'Let me not disturb your bliss; 
I come to teach your youthful wings to soar. 
Where fields on fields of bliss untasted lie. 
In virgin beauty, far beyond the reach 
Of keenest vision, where creative power. 
In its infinity of love, has formed 
Elysiums for the blest. Yet ere we plume 
Our pinions for so strong and bold a flight, 
Let us, a while, survey this fair domain. 
And learn some lessons, it were well to know. 
Come, let us go." 

And bending to their lips 
The golden vase of flowers, he bid them sip 



LEL lA. 221 

The dewy nectar from the fragrant cell. 
Then led them out upon the battlements, 
And pointed to the deep and slumbering vale 
That yawned beneath. 

''This is the vale of Death, 
Through which come mortals to the spirit -land. 
Yon dark, impending shroud of mist and gloom, 
That floats so heavily along, and veils 
Its icy depths, is formed by sighs and tears 
Out -gushing from yon world of sin. 

*a well 
Remember, when the Great Creator flung 
It fresh and blooming from his plastic hand. 
The shout, from the assembled host of heaven, 
As wheeling in its circling path, the light 
First gleamed upon its lofty turrets. Down, 
The angels, to its fair and virgin bowers. 
Leaped joyously to greet the happy pair 
Placed in its blissful Eden. But, alas ! 
They sinned, and lost their high estate, and brought 
Innumerable ills upon their race. 
Nearly six thousand times it now has rolled 
19* 



222 LELIA. 

With steady motion round its circling path ; 
And how much longer it shall hold its place, 
We know not; but of late there have been signs 
And whispers of some change, we know not what. 
Much has been done, as you well know, to bring 
Its children back from their apostasy; 
But still they lie in ignorance and sin, 
And sigh, and weep, and wail, and groan, and die; 
And here, emerging from the vale below. 
On this soft sloping bank their spirits land. 
Observe, as now the vaporous mass rolls on, 
How dark and dense becomes the gathering gloom 
That hangs o'er Asia's curst and blighted land! 
O land, once blest and favored more than all 
The fair domains on which yon sun doth shine ! 
'Twas there in primal beauty Eden bloomed; 
And there, "The Sun of Righteousness arose 
With healing in his wings." Jerusalem, 
Once glorious in the light that played around 
Thy sacred fanes and altars, reared in faith, 
How proud a destiny was thine, to teach 
The nations of the earth ! Thou dost instruct 
Them still, but not in joy. The wail of woe 
Comes from thy crumbling walls and ruined shrines ; 



LELIA. 223 

Thy sons and daughters, scattered o'er the earth, 
A living lesson teach; and on the page 
Of holy inspiration stands the doom 
Recorded, for thy deeds and broken faith. 

Now, brightening northward, in a thinner haze, 
O'er Europe's happier climes, the vapor spreads; 
And through the fleecy lightness of its shroud, 
The spires of Britain's sacred temples gleam. 

Now, south and westward, see the deepening mass 
That rolls in denser clouds above the plains 
Of Africa's benighted land. 

Still oh, 
Observe, it softens down, and lightly hangs 
In misty vapors, o'er the western world; 
And northward, breaks, disclosing to our view, 
The land of liberty and equal rights ; 
Whose modest temples, and whose spacious domes. 
Send up a blended hymn of praise to God. 
There, Faith and Hope, like lamps on either hand, 
Light up the lone and dreary vale of death : 
And many hail it as the gate of life. 



224 LELIA. 

And fearlessly await the appointed hour, 

To pass its portals to the spirit-land. 

Let us go down, and stray along the shore. 

The saints are often waiting here, to meet 

The loved and faithful ones they left behind. 

O, there are meetings here that touch the heart 

With joy unspeakable ! 

See, bending o'er 
The very brink, with arms outstretched, that form : — 
Ha ! now she clasps again her little boy. 
To part with whom, gave death its keenest pang. 
He knows that bosom well ; and as she looks. 
With that deep love a mother's breast can feel, 
Down on her darling boy, her cup is full. 

There comes a stately form well known in heaven. 
The throng that now surround him, oft have hung 
Upon the words of comfort he proclaimed, 
With thrilling eloquence and power. They are 
A portion of his flock, and oft have told 
How he stood forth the champion of truth, 
And hurled its adversaries in the dust. 
And taught the people wisdom, day and night, 



LELIA. 225 

And warned them to forsake the paths of sin, 

And live as men, that they might die in peace, 

With a sure hope of happiness in heaven. 

His was a glorious choice; and rich the crown 

Of righteousness that shall adorn his brow. 

See, circling down and playing round his head 

A halo now its purpling beauty bends; 

While greetings, from these loved and holy ones, 

Fill his warm heart with joy, no angel tongue 

Hath words to tell. They bear him to his rest." 

While thus they stood, another form came up. 
And glancing round, exclaimed, *'In heaven at last! 
I knew that I was right; did I not tell 
The wretches they were on the road to hell ? 
Denounce their mode of worship, and their creed? 
And hold them up before the gazing world. 
To ridicule and scorn? The fools deserve 
The burning wrath in store for them. But, hold — 
Here is a wide domain. It cannot be 
That this is heaven; 'tis larger than I thouglit; — 
There are by far too many people here ; 
And, as I live, I see a Methodist!" 
"A bigot," said the angel; ''such as these 
P 



226 LELIA. 

Have always done much harm upon the earth: 
Let him pursue his way; he yet may find 
His solitary heaven." 

With pious look, 
And lengthened visage came another one. 
And when he saw the multitude, began 
To shout, and rant, and sing hosannas, loud, 
And long. "Poor hypocrite," the angel said, 
"Howe'er thy borrowed mantle may have served 
Thy purpose the^'e, 'tis scanty covering here.^^ 

The drunkard's spirit reeling came, and still 
Unconscious, sang his bacchanalian songs. 

With haggard look and woe -worn aspect, came 
The suicide ; and as the filmy veil 
Withdrew, he, gazing wildly round, exclaimed, 
*'Ah, ha! not dead!" and clinching in his hand 
The imaginary steel, struck at his breast. 
With quick and desperate thrusts. *' Deluded one," 
The angel said, "thou canst not take this life. 
But thou wilt find a keener weapon here 
Than shining blade to pierce thy breast — Remorse! " 



LELIA. 227 

Slowly as from its slime some monster creeps, 
With reptile eye, the miser's spirit came. 
He died upon his bags of gold, and now 
Is feeling for them, wondering where they are ; 
And, as he casts around his anxious glance. 
His eyes fall on the diamonds glancing bright, 
With other precious stones that gem the soil. 
And as a sun -beam's gleam on polar ice, 
So played the smile of joy that flashed across 
His indurate face, as hurrying to and fro. 
He snatched the precious treasures from their beds. 
But, lo ! a new perplexity arose ; 
His hands were full, and there were many more : — 
Then he began to heap them snugly up^ 
When he was seized, and struggling borne away. 

*^This, more than any other," said their guide, 
'*Is the accursed sin that blights yon orb. 
The great Creator pours, from his full hand. 
His bounteous blessings on its race in vain. 
While such a selfish, sordid spirit dwells 
Upon its soil. It would soon blight e'en heaven. 
And turn its blessings into merchandise; 
Seize on its fair domains, and farm them out; 



228 LELIA. 

Grow proud and vain, ambitious of renown; 
Rule and oppress; bid angels fawning stoop 
To bear it on their wings, or softly fan 
Its weary temples with their downy plumes; 
Engender envy, discord, hatred, strife, 
Confusion wild, and on the tempest ride, 
Till drunk with power, its spirit would defy 
The living God, and seek to grasp his throne. 
Man cannot hoard his life ; why should he seek 
To hoard its blessings? God supplies them both; 
And he who grasps and hoards the latter, robs 
Both God and man: God of the honor due. 
And man of what he has a right to claim 
By virtue of the life God gives. Yet this 
Ingratitude, this sore and blighting sin. 
Though in a thousand forms it lies concealed. 
Is, after all, the ruling passion on yon orb. 
And makes life but a struggle, while the strong. 
By force or craft, subdue and rule the weak. 
'Tis this that makes its millions wail, and groan, 
And grope about in ignorance and gloom. 
Almost beyond the searching light of truth. 
'Tis this that binds the slave in servile chains; 
And holds, secure, the tyrant on his throne. 



LELIA. 229 

'Tis this that lights the torch of rampant war, 

And brings the serried hosts upon the plain 

To breast the bristling bayonet, and face 

The deep-mouthed cannon, belching murderous death ; 

Bids them engage in hot and deadly strife, 

And slay each other with their might and main. 

'Tis this that sends gaunt poverty abroad 

Upon the earth, that nobles, lords, and dukes, 

His royal majesty, his holiness, 

May loll in gorgeous trappings at their ease, 

And batten on their spoils, or nurse desire. 

And pander to their wanton sensual lusts. 

Insatiate passion, countless are the woes 

Humanity endures beneath thy sway ! ' ' 

In sad confusion, shrinking from the light 
Amazed, the spirit of the deist came. 
He stood, as one o'erwhelmed with rushing thought. 
And shuddered as he said, "Is it then so? 
Am I indeed awake and conscious still? 
Or is this but a phantom of the brain, 
A floating fragment of earth's feverish dream? 
Would it were so. Alas! alas! I feel 
My conscious powers awake with strange new life. 



230 LELIA. 

And pressing down upon me now the weight 

Of an eternity I thought to spend 

In undisturbed, oblivious, dreamless sleep. 

Oh, Nature ! from whose book I wrung the lore 

That lit my pathway through thy deepening shades, 

Oh ! why, oh ! why, didst thou not teach me this ! 

I delved deep in the bosom of the Earth, 

Brought forth her treasures to the light, found out 

The chronicles she keeps, and read her age 

And history, as written by her hand ; 

Soared where the quiet stars their vigils keep; 

And with the lamp of science in my hand 

Unveiled their mysteries, and learned the laws 

That hold, and guide them in their dizzy spheres. 

Athirst for knowledge, patiently I turned 

And read each leaf in thy vast volume o'er, 

But nowhere found upon its teeming page 

This ponderous truth. 

*' 'Tis true, from woman weak, 
Half-witted men, fanatics, and the like, 
I heard it, and from men deemed insincere ; 
But who could credit evidence like this, 
Which Nature, by her silence, said was false. 



LELIA. 231 

Alas ! alas ! I now am here a child, 
Perchance forever doomed to be the sport 
Of those I thought but little else than fools. 
Where shall I go ! O, that the ponderous rocks 
And mountains now would fall upon, and hide 
Me from this presence ! ' ' 

And his cowering frame 
Shook with vague fears of phantoms undefined. 

*' Sad error this," the angel said, '^to take 
The light of Nature, rather than the light 
Of Revelation for a guide. As well 
Prefer the borrowed light of earth's pale moon 
To the effulgence of the noonday sun. 
The source of light is revelation ; all 
Beside, is but reflected, shadowy, dim. 
Many accounted wise on earth thus err. 
And wander through the dark and dreary maze 
Of abstract lore, in search of abstract truth; 
And pride themselves on finding out the laws 
Which they call Nature's, and from them deduce 
Wise speculations, theories, and signs. 
While they forget that He who gave, as well, 



232 LELIA. 

Can abrogate them with a single breath; 

That He who said, ''Let there be light," can veil 

The sun; can stop the earth in its career. 

Dissolve it into vapor, and disperse 

Its elements again throughout the void.'* 

The spirits of the proud and haughty came. 
And bending on the crowd a look of scorn. 
With hasty step strode o'er the flowery lawn. 
With winning smile, the libertine was seen 
To cast his passion - glances on the forms 
Of angel beauty, mingling in the throng, 
And ministering wherever mercy called. 
The spirits of the poor by thousands came ; 
Earth's toil-worn sons and daughters, whose whole life 
Was one dull task that ended at the grave : 
They scarcely seemed to have a thought, or hope. 
And looked with vacant stare upon the scene. 
And sank down on the soft green sod to rest. 
The blind came up, and when their spirits caught 
The light their darkened orbs had ne'er beheld, 
They stood as though struck dumb, and wildly gazed 
Upon the gushing beauty thus unveiled. 
The lame leaped joyously to find their limbs 



LELIA. 233 

All lithe, and ready to perform their part. 

The dumb broke forth in songs. The deaf stood still 

With parted lips, and listening ear, inclined, 

To catch the harp-tones wafted on the air. 

Thus wandering down the margin of the vale. 
They viewed the ever - coming spirits land 
Upon the shores of immortality, 
From every clime and nation of the earth. 
And oft they paused and dwelt upon some scene 
Full of instruction to the mind and heart. 
For there were meetings of the loved and lost ; 
Of friends, of parents, husband, wife and child, — 
Re-unions of affection's tenderest ties; 
And some, alas ! that met with deadliest hate 
Still unsubdued, and rankling at the heart. 
The murderer met his victim face to face. 
The slanderer saw and quailed beneath the gaze 
Of those whose characters he sought to mar. 
The meek-eyed maiden saw and loved again 
The wretch who blighted all her hopes on earth. 
The brother met the brother whose close hand 
Unclasped not, when misfortune weighed him down, 
But left him to the kindlier care of those 
20* 



234 L E L I A . 

Whose manlier hearts, and nobler souls, spurned not 
A brother for the crime of being poor. 
The trembling slave his cruel master saw. 
Whose presence brought to mind again the lash. 
Oppressor, and oppressed, the rich, the poor, 
The ignorant, the wise, the powerful. 
The weak, the bond, the free, the good, the bad, 
All met and mingled for a time again. 
And principles, and actions were explained. 
That had been unsolved mysteries on earth. 

These, as they passed along, were all reviewed : 
And startling were the truths that were disclosed ; 
Oft placing crime on other heads than those 
On which the world had placed it; and, oft good, 
Where least it was suspected to be found; 
While actions lauded to the very skies. 
Oft blushed to meet the motive face to face 
That called them forth. 

The vale encompassed, they, 
Conducted by their angel guide, returned 
To their abode of bliss. *'I leave you now," 
He said, ''but will return to you again 



L E L I A . 235 

Ere long, when we will be prepared to pay- 
Some pleasant visits to the neighboring orbs. 
Meantime be happy, as you now are blest." 
And lifting from their radiant brows his hands, 
He left them in their blissful bower alone. 

Thus Lelan: **Lelia, what could win us back 
To mingle in the grovelling scenes of earth ! 
Surely not all the honor it could give j 
Not all the wealth embosomed in its soil; 
Not all the power the mightiest monarch wields: 
A moment's bliss in heaven is worth them all; 
And yet how many thousands peril this, 
To gain these vain and fleeting things of earth I 
To feel and know that we are happy now 
Beyond the reach of care, of time, or change, 
Surrounded by the beautiful and good. 
To live and love forever, it is heaven." 
And Lelia with her harp responsive sang: 

It is heaven ! — above us the blue skies are bending, 
Like wings of an angel out-spread o'er the world; 

While the light through the azure is softly descending, 
From orbs that are floating in ether empearled. 



236 LELIA. 

It is heaven! — for Eden's sweet flowers are blooming 
In their own native gardens, that spread far away. 

And with fresh balmy odors the soft air perfuming, 
That gently encircles their blooms in its play. 

It is heaven ! — the spray from the pure crystal foun- 
tains, 

Floats off on the zephyrs through purpling beams, 
Forming halos, enwreathing the tops of the mountains. 

That are mirrored again in the depths of the streams. 

It is heaven ! — the groves on the plains and the high- 
lands 

Are waving their boughs in the light fanning breeze. 
And look, in the distance, like beautiful islands 

On the soft - heaving bosom of emerald seas. 

It is heaven! — the hymn of creation is swelling, 
As worlds call to worlds from their orbits afar, 

Harmoniously blending the praise they are telling 
With cadences wafted from star unto star. 

It is heaven! — pavilioned in beauty and brightness, 
That ne'er shall be touched by disease or decay, 



LELIA. 237 

Our spirits, as free as the air in its lightness, . 
May repose amid blossoms, or float far away. 

It is heaven ! — and calm are these peaceful dominions; 

No shadow e'er falls on the land from above. 
But the swift-flitting hues from the radiant pinions 

Of angels, on errands of mercy and love. 

It is heaven! — no more is there sorrow and weeping; 

For death hath no victim in this happy clime; 
Far down in the valley his pale corse is sleeping, 

Enwrapt by the motionless pinions of time. 

It is heaven — what more can we ask of the Power 
Who does all things well, and whose love cannot 
change, 

Than this, life immortal, with heaven our dower, 
And the boundless extent of creation our range ! 

"With thee," said Lelan, 'tis enough; without 
Thee, even this existence were as cold 
And cheerless as the depths of yonder vale. 
Thou, who, on earth, wast delicate and fair, 
And tender as the passion-flower's bloom, 



238 LELIA. 

Art here a brilliant star, round which I love 

In cyclic sport to play; to gaze on thee, 

And revel in the warm and lustrous light 

That zones thy beauteous form; to catch thy look 

Of tenderness and love, that beams as soft 

And trusting, as a babe's first conscious smile. 

Thou art my own bright one, to circle on 

This bosom ever, as I fold thee now, 

In fadeless youth. No more shall care oppress, 

Or fears disturb, or pain distress thy life — 

No poison, here, floats on the ambient air 

To steal the bloom and beauty from thy cheek. 

But ever thus, forever mine; our home. 

In heaven; our range, all space; our Saviour, Christ; 

Our father, God ; and God is love. It is 

Enough; more would be pain; and less, despair.'* 

"If I," said Lelia, **am a brilliant star, 
Thou art the radiant sun that gives it light; 
Thine were the beams that kindled first its flame; 
And all of warmth, or beauty, it can give, 
Is thine, forever thine. I loved thee there, 
In yon dark world, as woman loves; but here, 
My spirit thrills with rapture, as I gaze 



LELIA. 239 

Upon thy manly form, and hold thee close, 

As yonder vine clings to the stately palm. 

Oh! Lelan, I am happy now. I oft, 

While on the earth, in spirit, wandered here. 

And dreamed of thee and heaven ; but, ah ! how 

vague 
And fleeting were the shadows then, compared 
With the sublime realities, I feel, 
I see, I know ! How wonderful the change ! 
How slight and simple seem the means employed ! ' ' 

*'The Great First Cause," said Lelan, **does things 

thus: 
The instrument with which He works is truth. 
Clothed with His energies, in simplest garb. 
That things to mortals are mysterious. 
Is not because the things themselves are dark. 
But the perceptions through which they are viewed. 
The soul God gives to them, at first is pure. 
And perfect, as are all his works; but soon 
It gets distorted in its passage through 
Its feeble and imperfect organs. This 
Condition is the effect of Adam's fall — 
This, is the loss of Eden to the soul. 



240 LELIA. 

But God is love, and ever loves to make 

His children happy. 'Twas for this he sent 

His Son to make atonement for all sin, 

The cause of which is traced to Adam's fall: 

The rest must be repented of, or borne. 

For this. He came, to win them back from sin, 

That He might give them perfect life, and clothe 

Their longing spirits in a perfect form 

For everlasting happiness in heaven : 

The truth of which our spirits know and feel. 

But yonder comes our guide, all plumed in light, 

And radiant as a star." 

"Hail! happy ones," 
Saluting them, he said: "I come again 
To guide you through more pleasing scenes than those 
We met in yon deep vale. 

*'We first will take 
Our stand upon the sun; and pausing there. 
Will hear the hymn the solar system chants. 
As wheeling in their orbits round his throne. 
The planets blend their soft melodious tones. 
And then from orb to orb our course will lie — 



LELIA. 241 

To Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. We then 
Will view the ruins of the riven world, 
And stray among the fragments floating round 
This mighty desolation. Then, away 
To glorious Jupiter, whose zones and moons. 
In brilliant beauty, never fail to charm 
The love -lit eyes that gaze upon them there. 
Then on to Saturn, gorgeously enthroned 
Amid her satellites, and splendid rings. 
To Herschel, and to Neptune; then, still on. 
Until we reach the outer verge that rims 
This sun's dominions — where the comets play, 
In their vast orbits, as connecting links. 
In this and other systems. There the soft 
And twilight hues of eve on us will smile. 
While from afar, the anthem of the orbs 
Will fall in softer cadence on the ear. 
Selecting then a comet's path, away, 
O'er the abyss profound, that lies between, — 
Where light meets light from distant central suns, 
In feeble, fitful gleams, — to take our stand 
Amid the circling splendors that surround 
Another sun, to hear new hymns of praise. 
And view new scenes of grandeur unexplored. 
21 Q 



242 



LELI A. 



Then on, on, on ; the scene is ever new, 
Forever endless, as the circles are 
In which creation moves — eternal types 
Of immortality, of truth, of God." 

''O, this is bliss! " said Lelia. ''Let us go ! " 
Said Lelan. ''Come," the angel said, "away!" 
And as they passed the earth, fair Lelia flung 
These notes from her swift pinions, I have sung. 




<^ 



>^^^^^^' 



MISCELLANEOUS 



AND 



EARLIER POEMS. 



243 




A LAY OF THE HEART. 

A ROUND me sweeps the ceaseless tide of life; 
•^ ^ I mingle as an atom in the stream 
Unheeded; and, unheeding all save one, 
Who many years ago came to my view. 
And filled the vacant place within my heart. 
I sought her not; she sought not me; we came 
Together by that law of God that draws. 
And holds, and binds the satellite and sun. 
And now long years have passed, and scenes have 

changed ; 
Life's toils and trials have been met and borne; 
And bitter oft has been the mingled cup 
We both have had to quaff; yet in my heart 
Has ever lived — a part of life itself — 
Her form and presence. Life to me had been 
21 * 245 



246 A LAY OF THE HEART. 

But half developed, aimless, incomplete, 
Had not this void been filled. 



Yon glorious sun 
Shines not more constantly upon his throne, 
Than burns upon the altar of my heart 
This kindled light of love. And, Persian - like, 
At morn and even on my bended knee " 
It mingles in my prayers. 

My sun of life — 
My standard of the beautiful of earth — 
The star by which I guide my storm -tossed bark — 
I gaze into her soft and tranquil eyes, 
They answer mine with tender looks of love; 
I hear her voice, and all her gentle words 
Are as a wreath of blossoms round my heart; 
I press her to my throbbing breast, and feel 
Her arms entwine my form, and lip to lip, 
I draw and drink deep, thrilling draughts of love. 
And mingling thought with thought, and mind with 

mind, 
And heart with heart, and soul with soul, as one, 
We thus have journeyed on, content to find 



i 



ALAY OF THE HEART. 247 

A few green spots that smiled along our path. 
And now I feel that life could scarce be borne 
Without her constant, love - inspiring smile. 
I lose her! How I tremble at the thought! 
I will not lose her; she may go from me, 
And wring this faithful bosom, and unlock 
Its welling fount of sorrow; I can weep. 
But love her still; ay, love her till the sod 
Is pressed upon my dust. 

Should she remain. 
My spirit still will come and hover o'er. 
And linger round, and nestle by its mate. 
If she should droop and die and leave me here, 
Oh, I would weave a sad and mournful song, 
That lovers on the earth would learn by heart. 
And angels would recite in yon blue heaven. 
And I would plant upon her little grave 
The flowers she loved so well; and often come 
At evening's twilight hour, when all the hum 
Of busy plodding life is hushed and still, 
To drop a tear upon her sleeping dust. 
And woo her happy spirit to my side. 
And long to join it in the spirit -land. 



248 LINES IN AN ALBUM. 

The following lines were composed by Don Pedro II., Emperor of Brazil, and 
written by him in the album of one of the Maids of Honor. They were doubt- 
less never intended for the public eye, but were obtained through a member of 
the diplomatic corps at Rio Janeiro. Their didactive character and great com- 
pactness in the Portuguese make a poetic translation exceedingly difficult; but 
they have been kindly and very faithfully rendered into English verse for this 
volume by Mr. D. Bates, of Philadelphia, whose " Speak Gently " has become 
a household word. — Brazil and the Brazilians. 



OE fui clemente, justiceiro, e pio, 
*^ Obrei o que devia. E mui pesada 
A sujeigao do sceptro ; e quern domina 
NSo tem ao seu arbitrio as leis sagradas; 
Fiel executor deve cumpri-las 
Mas nSo pode altera-las. E o throno 
Cadeira da Justi§a; quem se assenta 
Em tSo alto lugar, fica sujeito 
A mais severa lei ; perde a vontade ! 
Qualquer descuido chega a ser enorme, 
Detestavel, sacrilego delicto ! 
Quando no horizonte o sol espalha 
Sobre a face da terra a luz do dia, 
Ninguem o admira, todos o conhecem; 
Mas se eclipsado acaso se perturba, 
Nesse instante infeliz todos se assustao, 
Todos o observSo, todos o receiao : 
Logo se premiei sempre a virtude, 
Se OS vicicios castiguei, nada merecei. 

Z>ec., 1852. P. II. 



TRANSLATION. 249 



TRANSLATION. 

T F I am pious, clement, just, 
-■- I'm only what I ought to be : 
The sceptre is a weighty trust, 

A great responsibility; 
And he who rules with faithful hand. 

With depth of thought and breadth of range, 
The sacred laws should understand. 
But must not, at his pleasure, change. 

The chair of justice is the throne : 

Who takes it bows to higher laws; 
The public good, and not his own. 

Demands his care in every cause. 
Neglect of duty, — always wrong, — 

Detestable in young or old, — 
By him whose place is high and strong, 

Is magnified a thousand -fold. 

When in the east the glorious sun 

Spreads o'er the earth the light of day. 



250 TRANSLATION. 

All know the course that he will ruiij 
Nor wonder at his light or way: 

But if, perchance, the light that blazed 
Is dimmed by shadows lying near, 

The startled world looks on amazed. 
And each one watches it with fear. 

I, likewise, if I always give 

To vice and virtue their rewards, 
But do my duty thus to live; 

No one his thanks to me accords. 
But should I fail to act my part, 

Or wrongly do, or leave undone. 
Surprised, the people then would start 

With fear, as at the shadowed sun. 




STANZAS. — TO 25I 



STANZAS.— TO .. 

'' I ^HE calm blue heaven, from its home, 

-*• Looks sweetly on the earth and deep ; 
The dewdrops to the flowers come. 
And nestle in their breasts to sleep. 

But I am left to sigh and long 

For one, whose presence makes my breast 
Forget the rude world's bitter wrong, 

And for a time, at least, be blest. 

Would I were with thee, dearest one; 

Without thy cheering smile I'm sad, 
And feel, in this wide world, alone. 

With none to make my spirit glad. 

In dreams, dear one, in holy dreams. 

My spirit links itself with thine, 
And happy then awhile it seems 

To clasp thy form and call it mine. 



252 STANZAS. — TO 



But waking breaks the blissful spell, 
And all its joys soon disappear; 

My heart no prompter needs to tell 
The lesson it has learned, severe. 

For thou hast often careless been 

Of many a moment love hath claimed. 

And left undone, unsaid, unseen, 

A thousand things that might be named. 

But not by me ; it is not meet • 
That I should pen a word or line; 

'Tis mine to take the proffered sweet — 
The miner I, and thou the mine. 

The depth of feeling thou hast stirred. 
And caused, like tides, to ebb and flow, 

By gentle smile, and look, and word. 
Thou canst not calm, or ever know. 

To call it friendship would be vain. 
And little else than cold neglect; 

The heart that tastes, must taste again; 
It cannot live on mere respect. 



A STORM. 253 



A STORM. 

'nr^HE morning dawn was beautiful and bright, 

-*• The sun in splendor rolled up heaven's steep, 
Pouring on earth his rich, benignant light, 
And nature's face was calm as beauty's sleep. 

But what is this that dims the noon - day sun. 

And clothes the heavens in black, as 'twere a pall ! 

See ! vivid streaks of fire shoot forth and run 
Athwart the sky, and darting earthward fall. 

Peal after peal upon the startled ear. 

Reverberating back from hill to hill, 
The thunder rolls ; then less'ning till we hear 

No more; and fearful is the calm and still. 

A breath of air relieves the dread suspense, 
And by its spiral motion soon we learn 

It is the dreaded whirlwind, and from whence 
It breathes its force, surcharged at every turn. 



254 A STORM. 

The wheeling clouds in wild commotion pass, 
As marshalled warriors to the charge repair, 

And 4ash their fury on the sullen mass. 

And whirl the fragments through the blackened air. 

The lofty oak that stood the tempest -shock 
For years, is twisted like a withe, and thrown 

Prostrate upon the earth; and scarce the rock 
On its firm basis claims the seat its own. 

How feeble then, O man ! your boasted strength ! 

Where is your dignity, your scornful brow. 
Your stately strut with step of measured length? 

I fancy all are unavailing now. 

It dies away — and hearts beat free and gladj 
And faces brighten up again — 'tis o'er — 

And eyes meet eyes again, that late were sad; 
And heaven and earth are quiet as before. 



KITTY WHITE. 255 



KITTY WHITE. 

T 'VE seen in many a witching mood 
-*- Some pretty forms, like fairies light, 
But all that's lovely I ne'er viewed. 
Till I saw thee — sweet Kitty White. 

I love to gaze on starry skies, 

Or pearly dewdrops glancing bright. 

But more upon those sparkling eyes. 
Of thine, thou charmer — Kitty White. 

Upon the waves, 'tis sweet to gaze. 
And see the moonbeams play, at night, 

But sweeter far the smile that plays 
Upon the lips of Kitty White. 

The rose that's justly Flora's pride, 

May well comparison invite. 
But Where's its beauty when beside 

The cheek of lovely Kitty White? 



256 THE sailor's sanctuary. 

If I perfection wished to draw, 

And had the skill to draw it right. 

To paint a piece without a flaw, 
I'd draw thy portrait, Kitty White. 



THE SAILOR'S SANCTUARY. 

I j^AR on the deep from home and friends, 
-■- A sailor seeks a place of prayer; 
And to the mast-head he ascends, 
And bends his knee to worship there. 

Above is spread the broad expanse, 
Beneath him rolls the foaming brine; 

The winds sweep o'er, the lightnings glance 
Around the lonely sailor's shrine. 

Oh ! what a place was this to bend 
In reverence to th' eternal throne ; 

And breathe his prayer in words that blend 
With ocean's deep and solemn moan. 



THE INVITATION. 2^J 

While Others seek to while away 
The time so tedious when abroad, 

He seeks a holier bliss than they, 
In high communion with his God. 

What peace there was within that breast ! 

The elements around might rg-ve, 
They brought no terrors o'er his rest, 

He trusts in One that's strong to save. 



THE INVITATION. 

/^^^OME, sister, from your home afar, 
^-^ To this fair land of ours; 
The sky is clear, as bright the star 
That smiles upon the bowers. 

For here are hearts that are as warm, 
And hands that are as kind. 

And hills and vales, as fair in form 
As those you leave behind. 

22* R 



258 THE INVITATION. 

Here centuries have softened down 
Earth's wild and rugged face, 

And art has lent its aid to crown 
With beauty and with grace. 

How oft, as down the western sky 
The sun has sunk from view, 

I've gazed on it with pensive eye, 
My heart communed with you! 

Then, sister, come, and with us dwell — 

Those dear to you before; 
And you will love us just as well. 

And we will love you more. 

Why should those dear on earth e'er part, 

To tempt the wild or wave? 
Why should one warm and throbbing heart 

Be wrung but by the grave? 



UNWELCOME VISITORS. 259 



UNWELCOME VISITORS. 

T3EG0NE, dull gare, and blighting sorrow, 
■^-^ Away, this moment, now away! 
You never should come till to- morrow ' — 
I've other things to mind to-day. 

Your very presence is distressing, 
Although you sat not on this brow; 

Your absence is to all a t)lessing. 
And I'm resolved to have it now. 

Defer your claims — there's no good reason 
Why I should spend this day demure; 

Call on me then; some other season 
Will answer me as well, I'm sure. 

I know you well, nor have you vainly 
Sought out before my place of rest; 

And now the truth to tell you plainly, 
You're poor companions at the best. 



260 UNWELCOME VISITORS. 

You've dogged my footsteps many an hour, 
And robbed me of some pleasant dreams, 

And lest I might forget your power, 
You 've just stepped in again, it seems. 

It will not do — I have concluded, 

Though friends be gone, and this old purse 

Of every penny be denuded. 

That you would only make things worse. 

You need not call on me, 'tis only 

A useless trouble so to do; 
Your absence never makes me lonely. 

But if it shall, I'll call on you. 

Go seek some sentimental poet. 

Whom fate has cheated, fortune spurned; 

I love those, if you did but know it. 
Whose habits are more lively turned. 

Now as for care, 'tis downright folly 
To spend one's time with any such; 

And though your phiz looks melancholy, 
*Tis said you sometimes take too much. 



UNWELCOME VISITORS. 261 

If we may credit Madame Rumor, 
You both from earth ought to be hurled, 

For putting people out of humor, 

And sometimes, too, out of the world. 

Care is a coward, always fearful 
That if on pleasure's grounds he tread, 

Some wily rogue, while he is cheerful. 
Will rob him of his daily bread. 

Sorrow is lean, and 'tis no wonder 

That any mortal so should be 
Who makes such an egregious blunder 

As he who lives on sympathy. 

Excuse the liberty I have taken; 

I meant no harm, but just to say 
My confidence in you is shaken. 

So I must bid you both good -day. 

Par nobile fratrumi- — you may flourish 

Where'er you find congenial soil; 
But in this breast I cannot nourish, 

Who would me of my peace despoil. 



262 CONSTANCY. 



CONSTANCY. 

T^OTH, then, the dewdrop hate the rose, 
-*"-^ Because it yields its balmy breast. 
And all the charms it can disclose, 

And lets it nestle there to rest. 
Or sport, with its approving smile. 

Among the fragrant foliage gained. 

And taste, though brief, a little while. 

The bliss of freedom unrestrained? 

No, never! — For it knows too well 

That jealous eyes are peering round; — 
The zephyrs whisper, ''Let us tell" — 

And rude winds shake it to the ground — 
The sunbeams drive it from its throne — 

But still, at eventide, it knows 
It may steal back again, alone : — 

For this, the dewdrop loves the rose. 



SONG. 263 



SONG. 

HE does not love me ; I have been 
*^ A willing slave too long; 

There is no tender chord within 

That answers to my song; 
For when I sing of love, no sigh 

Disturbs her calm, cold breast, 
No look responsive meets my eye 

To tell me I am blest. 

There is indeed a friendly smile. 
That gives my heart more pain 

Than it would suffer if the while 
Each look was cold disdain, 

1 will not wear the galling chain; 
She loves me now no more; 

I must not think of her again: 
Those happy days are o'er. 



264 TO T. M. M". 



TO T. M. M. 

TV yr Y dear young friend, thy natal day 

'^ -■" The balmy breath of Spring doth fan ; 

The budding, merry month of May 

First hailed the child, and now the man. 

Thy life hath been, as yet, all Spring; 

Warm sunshine, dew, and genial showers, 
Thus far have lent their aid to bring 

Thy steps along a path of flowers. 

But now thy country calls thee forth. 
And thou must yield to her command. 

And wear the title of thy birth — 
A sovereign in this glorious land. 

For this, thy heritage, rejoice; 

But set thy heart above the sway 
Of pleasure's soft, alluring voice. 

That would thy footsteps leads astray. 



TO T. M. M. 265 

Fix high thy purpose in the right, 
Take truth and virtue by the arm, 

And thou shalt reach so fair a height. 
The shafts of envy shall not harm. 

Yet from life's higher, wider span. 

Deem not thy obligation less. 
But greater to thy fellow -man, 

To pity, elevate, and bless. 

Thy gifts are generous, and thy heart 
Is full of feeling kind and warm; 

If guided right, these will impart 
To thee a joy, thy life a charm. 

Thus thou shalt pass from youth to age, 
Dispensing blessings like the sun; 

And, being summoned, leave the stage. 
Thy journey and thy work well done. 



266 THE UNKNOWN. 



THE UNKNOWN. 

'nr^HOU unknown one, whose radiant charms 

-*- Have thrown around my heart a spell, 
Which clasps it, as it were thine arms, 

And bids me its emotions tell, 
Forgive me for this rude address, 

Since thou the fair aggressor art; 
For had thy beauty charmed me less, 

It would not then have won my heart. 

I oft have marked the witching smile 

That played upon those lips of thine ; 
And as I stood entranced the while, 

More eyes gazed on thy form than mine. 
And when our eyes have met alone. 

How one soft glance has stirred the strings 
Of my poor heart, and made it own 

That beauty's eyes are dangerous things ! 

But thou, fair one, with charms so rare, 
By nature's hand so richly crowned, 



ELIZA. 26; 

Must guard the treasure, and beware; 

For beauty stands on dangerous ground. 
For there are those whose winning wiles 

Are ever practised to destroy; 
And while the face is wreathed in smiles, 

The heart, alas! is base alloy. 



ELIZA. 

I "LIZA trips the walks along — 
•* — ' Her step is light and free; 
There's none among the dazzling throng 

That's half so fair as she: 
No gaudy trinkets deck her form, 

Or lend their witchery. 
Or airs affected seek to charm — 

Eliza's self you see. 

Though fortune smile not on her lot — 

Her favors are denied ; 
Still, what the "fickle dame" forgot, 

Kind nature has supplied : 



268 ELIZA. 

For she is cheerful as a bird 
That wantons on the wing; 

Whose wild and joyous song is heard 
Amid the gush of Spring. 

So innocent and artless too, 

So free from care and guile; 
An angel well might pause to view 

Her captivating smile. 
Cursed be the man who would employ 

His- subtle art and power, 
With no intent but to destroy 

So sweet, so fair a flower ! 




THE STOLEN HEART. 269 



THE STOLEN HEART. 

1 .^AIR lady, dost thou know the crime? 
-^ Thou hast stolen my heart away; 
In health, and now just in my prime — 
How could you dare to do it, say? 

But one arrangement now I'll make; 

All else that 's offered will be vain ; 
Give me your own, or else I'll take. 

Though it be broken, mine again. 

I leave it for you to decide; 

Think ere you do, for who can tell 
What chances there are yet untried — 

Some other's may do just as well. 



^/■^^■t^X^ 




^ 



270 THE LOST ONE. 



THE LOST ONE. 

I '^'EN now I feel my senses reeling, 
-■-^ While I think upon that night, 
When love - revealing glances stealing 
From those eyes so pure and bright. 

So soft the gaze — so mildly spoken 

Were those words, **Good night," that I, 

In accents broken, gave love's token 
From my lips, my heart, a sigh. 

I oft have sought since that sweet hour 

To find out the place of rest. 
And cull this flower from beauty's bower, 

And enfold it on my breast. 

But since that time the joy of meeting 

Something fatal ever crossed 
My search repeating, hope still fleeting, 

My loved one I fear is lost. 



THE UNION. 271 



THE UNION. 

" It niust and shall be preserved." — Jackson. 

^"X THAT! rend this glorious federal arch,. 

' "^ O'er which our proud flag is unfurled, 
And crush the hopes, and chain the march 

Of freedom to a fettered world? 

Whoever seeks to rend in twain 
This Union that our fathers gave, 

Shall, living, bear the curse of Cain, 
And, dying, fill a traitor's grave. 

Where is the man who drew his breath 
In this fair temple God has made, 

Who dares to die the living death 
Of treason, by his act betrayed ? 

Stand forth, and let the world behold 
Another Arnold basely born. 



272 AN APPEAL. 

With lust for power and thirst for gold, 
And bear a nation's curse and scorn. 

The Union's safe. Ye need not fear 

The words from babbling tongues distilled 

Will check her in her proud career, 
Till her grand mission is fulfilled. 



AN APPEAL.* 



T N this free, happy, teeming land, 
-*- Shall any human being starve? 
Shall penury extend its hand, 

And find no heart its need to serve? 

Shall feeble age, bow'd down with woe, 
Chill'd by oppressing years of care. 

By nature's promptings, trembling go. 
And meet no answer to its prayer? 

* A case of absolute starvation reported in the New York 
papers prompted the above lines. 



AN APPEAL. 273 

Her pale young babe shall woman clasp, 

To hush its tender form to rest, 
And place within its feeble grasp, 

Her nourishless and famished breast? 

Shall childhood, when its life should gush 

With rosy health and love-lit eye, 
Be taught so soon in grief to hush 

The wants its hands cannot supply? 

'T is bad enough, high Heaven knows, 
For man to beg with trembling breath; 

But shall none heed his pressing woes? 
Shall human beings starve to death? 

And this, too, in a Christian land. 
Where freedom's banner is unfurled j 

A land that pours from her full hand. 
Enough to feed and clothe the world! 

O God! withhold Thy lightning-rain. 

Impending o'er a land of sin — 
Spare these fair cities of the plain ! 

With shame we own this thing hath been. 
S 



2/4 THE HARVEST OF THOUGHT. 

But there are some that own Thy law, 
And bow not down to Mammon's shrine; 

Whose deeds of love the world ne'er saw, 
Who seek no cheering smile but Thine. 



THE HARVEST OF THOUGHT. 

* I ^HE harvest of thought is now at hand; 

-*■ Come, brothers, your sickles prepare; 
It is yours to reap the flowery land 
While the day is bright and fair. 

Already the gleaners are on the plain 

Awaiting the master's command. 
To gather the ripe and golden grain 

That falls from the reaper's hand. 

To secure the loose and scattered sheaves 

The binders will never fail. 
And store them away to the very eaves, 

To await the thrasher* s flail. 



THE HARVEST OF THOUGHT. 2/5 

What though the thrasher often declare 
That he searches in vain for the grains. 

You know very well that the wheat is there, 
And the fault — his lack of brains. 

Then heed him not, but let him take care, 

In his menial toil for bread. 
As he carelessly flings his flail through the air, 

That it does not hit his head. 

And often, indeed, you may have to laugh 
At some ninny who says, "What stuff"," 

While he drops all the wheat, and holds the chaff" 
To blow it away with a puff". 

But the popular breeze will winnow the grain ; 

And then, with a critical sieve, 
The reviewer will sift it again and again, 

Lest the cockle and cheat may live. 

Lo ! the harvest is ripe ; and, fearing nought, 

Prepare for the glorious strife. 
To reap the flowery fields of thought, 

For the mental bread of life. 



2/6 



THE HARVEST OF THOUGHT. 



As Joseph's dream, in his youthful home, 

Was a type of his future fame. 
So the proof of your dreams from the type shall come 

To give you an honored name. 








^>'" 










-jfey 1'- ■ . .'t -^ .^^. :-'.x' .->::;';>> v;,v>:^->:. ■•>;«,:■;;.• V. . v^^^- 












^^ 



-fim^3|:5^V:>H>: 



















• Vi.-V'.Vil.'X'l 






^^^iv^li® 



iS 






•I 






^:^:# 









••y^j;- 




